18David brought together the men who were with him. He appointed commanders of thousands over some of them. He appointed commanders of hundreds over the others.

²Then David sent the troops out in three companies. One company was under the command of Joab. Another was under Joab’s brother Abishai, the son of Zeruiah. The last was under Ittai, the Gittite. The king told the troops, “You can be sure that I myself will march out with you.”

³But the men said, “You must not march out. If we are forced to run away, our enemies won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care. But you are worth 10,000 of us. So it would be better for you to stay here in the city. Then you can send us help if we need it.”

⁴The king said, “I’ll do what you think is best.”

So the king stood beside the city gate. The whole army marched out in companies of hundreds and companies of thousands.

⁵The king gave an order to Joab, Abishai and Ittai. He commanded them, “Be gentle with the young man Absalom. Do it for me.” All of the troops heard the king give the commanders that order about Absalom.

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