2 Samuel 17:24-2 Samuel 18:8 - War Between David And Absalom

²⁴ David went to the town of Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan River with the army of Israel. ²⁵ Absalom put Amasa in Joab's place as commander of the army. Amasa's father was Ithra from the family of Ishmael, and his mother was Abigal, the daughter of Nahash and the sister of Joab's mother Zeruiah. ²⁶ The Israelites under Absalom's command set up camp in the region of Gilead. ²⁷ David went to the town of Mahanaim. Shobi son of Nahash came from Rabbah in Ammon, Machir son of Ammiel came from Lo-Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite came from Rogelim. ²⁸ Here is a list of what they brought: sleeping mats, blankets, bowls, pottery jars, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, ²⁹ Also honey, yogurt, sheep, and cheese. They brought food for David and the others because they knew that everyone would be hungry, tired, and thirsty from being out in the desert.

¹ David called the troops that were with him. He appointed commanders in charge of regiments and battalions. ² David assigned a third of the troops under Joab's command. He put another third under Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah. Then he placed the last third under Ittai from Gath. I am going into battle with you, the king said to the troops.

³ You must not go with us, they answered. It will not make any difference to the enemy if the rest of us turn and run. It will not matter even if half of us are killed. But you are worth ten thousand of us. It will be better if you stay here in the city and send us help.

⁴ I will do what you think best, the king answered. Then he stood by the side of the gate as his men marched out in units of a thousand and of a hundred. ⁵ The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake. All the troops heard him give the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

⁶ So the troops went to the country to fight Israel in the forest of Ephraim. ⁷ Battles were fought all over the forest. David's soldiers were winning. Twenty thousand soldiers were killed that day. ⁸ More soldiers died from the dangers of the forest than from the fighting.