181 Then David numbered the people who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds . 2 David sent the people out, one third under the command of Joab , one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah , Joab's brother , and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite . And the king said to the people , "I myself will surely go out with you also ." 3 But the people said , " You should not go out; for if we indeed flee , they will not care e about us; even if half of us die , they will not care e about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city ." 4 Then the king said to them, "Whatever seems best to you I will do ." So the king stood beside e the gate , and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands . 5 The king charged Joab and Abishai and Ittai , saying , "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom ." And all the people heard when the king charged all the commanders concerning e Absalom . 6 Then the people went out into the field against Israel , and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim . 7 The people of Israel were defeated there before the servants of David , and the slaughter there that day was great , 20,000 e men. 8 For the battle there was spread over e the whole countryside , and the forest devoured more people that day than e the sword devoured .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:1-8
Commentary on 2 Samuel 18:1-8
(Read 2 Samuel 18:1-8)
How does David render good for evil! Absalom would have only David smitten; David would have only Absalom spared. This seems to be a resemblance of man's wickedness towards God, and God's mercy to man, of which it is hard to say which is most amazing. Now the Israelites see what it is to take counsel against the Lord and his anointed.