2 Samuel 18:1-8
Joab Puts Absalom to Death
18Then David 1numbered the people who were with him and aset over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2And David sent the people out, aone-third under the hand of Joab, one-third under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one-third under the hand of bIttai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.” 3But the people said, “aYou should not go out; for if we indeed flee, they will not set their heart on us; even if half of us die, they will not set their heart on us. But now 1you are worth ten thousand of us; so now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city.” 4Then the king said to them, “Whatever is good in your sight I will do.” So athe king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands. 5Then the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And aall the people heard when the king commanded all the commanders concerning Absalom.
6Then the people went out into the field to meet Israel, and the battle took place in athe forest of Ephraim. 7And the people of Israel were 1defeated there before the servants of David, and the slaughter there that day was great, 20,000 men. 8And the battle there was scattered over the whole countryside, and the forest devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.