2 Samuel 18:7

7 The army of Israel was defeated there by David's soldiers. A great slaughter of twenty thousand men took place that day.

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 orders to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai: "For my sake, protect my boy Absalom." All the troops heard what the king ordered regarding Absalom to all the commanders.

6 So the troops marched into the field to meet the Israelites. The battle was fought in the Ephraim forest.

7 The army of Israel was defeated there by David's soldiers. A great slaughter of twenty thousand men took place that day.

8 The battle spread out over the entire countryside, and the forest devoured more soldiers than the sword that day.

9 Absalom came upon some of David's men. Absalom was riding on a mule, and the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak tree. Absalom's head got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair while the mule under him kept on going.