2 Samuel 18:7

7 There David's men won the battle over Israel's army. A huge number of men were wounded or killed that day. The total number was 20,000.

2 Samuel 18:7 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 18:7

Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of
David
That is, the people of Israel that were under Absalom, these were beaten by David's army:

and there was a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand [men];
including both those that fell in the field of battle, and that were slain in the pursuit; and this is to be understood only of Absalom's party.

2 Samuel 18:7 In-Context

5 The king gave an order to Joab, Abishai and Ittai. He commanded them, "Be gentle with the young man Absalom. Do it for me." All of the troops heard the king give the commanders that order about Absalom.

6 David's army marched into the field to fight against Israel. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.

7 There David's men won the battle over Israel's army. A huge number of men were wounded or killed that day. The total number was 20,000.

8 The fighting spread out over the whole countryside. But more men were killed in the forest that day than out in the open.

9 Absalom happened to come across some of David's men. He was riding his mule. The mule went under the thick branches of a large oak tree. Absalom's head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in the air. The mule he was riding kept on going.