1
David numbered the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
2
David sent forth the people, a third part under the hand of Yo'av, and a third part under the hand of Avishai the son of Tzeru'yah, Yo'av's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
3
But the people said, You shall not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you are ready to help us out of the city.
4
The king said to them, What seems you best I will do. The king stood by the gate-side, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
5
The king commanded Yo'av and Avishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Avshalom. All the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Avshalom.
6
So the people went out into the field against Yisra'el: and the battle was in the forest of Efrayim.
7
The people of Yisra'el were struck there before the servants of David, and there was a great slaughter there that day of twenty thousand men.
8
For the battle was there spread over the surface of all the country; and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.