But I counsel that all Israel be speedily gathered to thee, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

And the people went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was in the forest of Ephraim.

And the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country; and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.

And the people stole away that day into the city, as people steal away when ashamed of fleeing in battle.

And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle; and now why are ye silent as to bringing the king back?

And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array at the entrance of the gate; and the Syrians of Zoba and of Rehob, and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the field.

And Joab saw that the front of the battle was against him before and behind; and he chose out of all the choice men of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians;

And Joab drew near, and the people that were with him, unto the battle against the Syrians; and they fled before him.

Then David said to the messenger, Thus shalt thou say to Joab: Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devours one as well as another: make thy battle strong against the city, and overthrow it; and encourage him.

And Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the lamp of Israel.

And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines, at Gob; then Sibbechai the Hushathite smote Saph, who was of the children of Raphah.

And there was again a battle at Gob with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, smote Goliath the Gittite; now the shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam.

And there was again a battle, at Gath; and there was a man there of great stature, that had on each hand six fingers, and on each foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to Raphah.

And thou girdedst me with strength to battle: Thou didst subdue under me those that rose up against me.

And after him, Eleazar the son of Dodo the son of an Ahohite: he was one of the three mighty men with David, when they had defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone up.

And David said to him, What has taken place? I pray thee, tell me. And he said that the people had fled from the battle, and many of the people also had fallen and died, and that Saul and Jonathan his son were dead also.

How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places.

And the battle that day was very severe; and Abner and the men of Israel were routed before the servants of David.

So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had slain their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle.