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

²⁴ Meanwhile David had gone to Mahanaim, while Absalom and all the men of Israel had crossed the Jordan River. ²⁵ Absalom had made Amasa general in command of the army in place of Joab. (Now Amasa was the son of an Israelite man named Jether, who had married Abigail the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother.) ²⁶ The army of Israel and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead. ²⁷ When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, Makir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim ²⁸ brought bedding, basins, and pottery utensils. They also brought food for David and all who were with him, including wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, ²⁹ honey, curds, flocks, and cheese. For they said, "The people are no doubt hungry, tired, and thirsty there in the desert."

¹ David assembled the army that was with him. He appointed leaders of thousands and leaders of hundreds. ² David then sent out the army -- a third under the leadership of Joab, a third under the leadership of Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under the leadership of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the troops, "I too will indeed march out with you."

³ But the soldiers replied, "You should not do this! For if we should have to make a rapid retreat, they won't be too concerned about us. Even if half of us should die, they won't be too concerned about us. But you are like ten thousand of us! So it is better if you remain in the city for support."

⁴ Then the king said to them, "I will do whatever seems best to you." So the king stayed beside the city gate, while all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands. ⁵ The king gave this order to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: "For my sake deal gently with the young man Absalom." Now the entire army was listening when the king gave all the leaders this order concerning Absalom.

⁶ Then the army marched out to the field to fight against Israel. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. ⁷ The army of Israel was defeated there by David's men. The slaughter there was great that day -- 20,000 soldiers were killed. ⁸ The battle there was spread out over the whole area, and the forest consumed more soldiers than the sword devoured that day.