New International Version NIV
New Revised Standard NRS
5 The king commanded Joab, Abishai and Ittai, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake.” And all the troops heard the king giving orders concerning Absalom to each of the commanders.
5
The king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom." And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders concerning Absalom.
6 David’s army marched out of the city to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.
6
So the army went out into the field against Israel; and the battle was fought in the forest of Ephraim.
7 There Israel’s troops were routed by David’s men, and the casualties that day were great—twenty thousand men.
7
The men of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David, and the slaughter there was great on that day, twenty thousand men.
8 The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword.
8
The battle spread over the face of all the country; and the forest claimed more victims that day than the sword.
9 Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.
9
Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak. His head caught fast in the oak, and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on.
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New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.