2 Samuel 18:3

3 "You're not going [with us]," the troops said. "If we flee, they won't care about us, and if half of us die, they won't care either. But you're worth 10,000 of us. It's better for you to be ready to send us help from the city."

2 Samuel 18:3 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 18:3

But the people answered, thou shalt not go forth
They were as resolute as David:

for if we flee away, they will not care for us;
to pursue after us;

neither if half of us die, will they care for us;
they will make no account of the victory; but if they could slay David, or get him into their hands, it would be more to them than if the whole army was routed:

but now [thou art] worth ten thousand of us;
not only in our own esteem, but in the account of the enemy, who had rather thou shouldest fall into their hands than ten thousand of us; and as the advantage to them, so the loss to us would be more than ten thousand men:

therefore now [it is] better that thou succour us out of the city;
either by sending them provisions or recruits, that might be there in reserve, if necessary; or by being ready to receive them into it should they be repulsed; or rather by his prayers to God for them; so the Targum,

``now it is better that thou pray for us out of the city;''

that is, that the Lord would help us; and so most of the Jewish commentators understand it of helping them by his prayers and counsels.

2 Samuel 18:3 In-Context

1 David called together the troops that were with him. He appointed commanders in charge of regiments and battalions.

2 David put a third of the troops under Joab's command, another third under Joab's brother Abishai (Zeruiah's son), and the last third under Ittai from Gath. "I am going [into battle] with you," the king said to the troops.

3 "You're not going [with us]," the troops said. "If we flee, they won't care about us, and if half of us die, they won't care either. But you're worth 10,000 of us. It's better for you to be ready to send us help from the city."

4 "I'll do what you think best," the king responded. So the king stood by the gate while all the troops marched out by battalions and regiments.

5 The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, "Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake." All the troops heard him give all the commanders this order regarding Absalom.