18 David ·counted [mustered; reviewed] his men and placed over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. ² He sent the troops out in three groups. Joab commanded one-third of the men. Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah commanded another third. And Ittai from Gath commanded the last third. King David said to them, “I will also go with you.”

³ But the men said, “You must not go ·with us [out]! If we ·run away in the battle [flee], Absalom’s men won’t care. Even if half of us are killed, Absalom’s men won’t care. But you’re worth ten thousand of us! ·You can help us most by staying in the city [It is better that you support us from the city].”

⁴ The king said to his people, “I will do what ·you think is best [^Lis good in your sight/eyes].” So the king stood at the side of the gate as the army went out in groups of a hundred and a thousand.

⁵ The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Be gentle with young Absalom for my sake.” Everyone heard the king’s orders to the commanders about Absalom.

⁶ David’s army went out into the field against ·Absalom’s Israelites [Israel], and they fought in the forest of Ephraim. ⁷ There David’s army defeated the Israelites. ·Many died [^LThe slaughter was/casualties were great] that day—twenty thousand men. ⁸ The battle spread through all the ·country [countryside], but that day more men ·died [^Lwere devoured/swallowed up] in the forest than ·in the fighting [^Lby the sword].