1 And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Jo´ab, and a third part under the hand of Ab´ishai the son of Zeru-i´ah, Jo´ab's brother, and a third part under the hand of It´tai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succor us out of the city.
4 And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
5 And the king commanded Jo´ab and Ab´ishai and It´tai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Ab´salom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Ab´salom.
6 So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of E´phra-im;
7 where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.