David sent the people out, (A)one third under the [a]command of Joab, one third under the [b]command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the [c]command of (B)Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.” But the people said, “(C)You should not go out; for if we indeed flee, they will not care about us; even if half of us die, they will not care about us. But [d]you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city.” Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” So (D)the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 18:2 Lit hand
  2. 2 Samuel 18:2 Lit hand
  3. 2 Samuel 18:2 Lit hand
  4. 2 Samuel 18:3 So with some ancient versions; M.T. for now there are ten thousand like us