2 Samuel 18:3-5

Revised Geneva Translation

³ But the people answered, “You shall not go forth! For if we flee away, they will not care about us! Nor will they care about us if half of us were killed! But you are now worth ten thousand of us! Therefore, now, it is better that you help us out of the city!”

⁴ Then the king said to them, “What seems best to you, that I will do.” So, the king stood by the gate side. And all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.

⁵ And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Engage the young man Absalom gently, for my sake.” And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.