3. But the people said, “You should not go, for if we retreat, they will not be concerned about us. Even if half of us die, they will not be concerned about us. But now you are worth ten thousand of us. Therefore, it would be better to assist us from the city.”
4. The king said to them, “I will do what seems best to you.”So the king stood beside the gate while all of the people went out by hundreds and thousands.
5. The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Deal gently with the young man Absalom.” All of the people heard the king instruct the commanders concerning Absalom.
6. So the people went out toward Israel in the field, but the fighting occurred in the forest of Ephraim.
7. The people of Israel were defeated there by the servants of David. That day the defeat was extensive, twenty thousand men.