2 Samuel 18:1

Absalom Killed

1 Then David reviewed his troops and appointed over them commanders of thousands and of hundreds.

2 Samuel 18:1 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 18:1

And David numbered the people that [were] with him
Which Josephus says ^F4 were four thousand; but one would think there should be more by what follows:

and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them;
he divided his army into companies, which consisted some of a thousand and others of a hundred; over each of which he set captains, to lead them on, direct, and command them in battle.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F4 Antiqu. l. 7. c. 10. sect. 1.

2 Samuel 18:1 In-Context

1 Then David reviewed his troops and appointed over them commanders of thousands and of hundreds.

2 He sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the troops, “I will surely march out with you as well.”

3 But the people pleaded, “You must not go out! For if we have to flee, they will not care about us. Even if half of us die, they will not care. But you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better now if you support us from the city.”

4 “I will do whatever seems best to you,” the king replied. So he stood beside the gate, while all the troops marched out by hundreds and by thousands.

5 Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom.