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2 Samuel 18:2

AbishaiDavidIttaiJoabZeruiah

1 Then David reviewed his troops and appointed over them commanders of hundreds and of thousands.

He sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the troops, “I will surely march out with you as well.”

3 But the people pleaded, “You must not go out! For if we have to flee, they will pay no attention to us. Even if half of us die, they will not care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It is better for now if you support us from the city.”

4 “I will do whatever seems best to you,” the king replied. So he stood beside the gate, while all the troops marched out by hundreds and by thousands.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

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BSB
He sent out the troops, a third under Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the troops, “I will surely march out with you as well.”
KJV
And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
WEB
David sent the people out, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. The king said to the people, “I will also surely go out with you myself.”
ASV
And David sent forth the people, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab`s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
DARBY
And David sent forth the people, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.
BLB
And David sent out a third of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third under the hand of Abishai son of Zeruiah the brother of Joab, and a third under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I will surely go out—I also with you⁺.”
ÅB
Så sendte David folket avsted, en tredjedel under Joab, en tredjedel under Abisai, Serujas sønn, Joabs bror, og en tredjedel under gittitten Ittai, og kongen sa til folket: Jeg vil og dra ut med dere.
OTB
David sendte ut hæren: en tredjedel under Joab, en tredjedel under Abisjai, Serujas sønn, Joabs bror, og en tredjedel under Ittai fra Gat. Og kongen sa til folket: "Jeg vil også selv gå ut med dere."
B1930
Så sendte David folket avsted, en tredjedel under Joab, en tredjedel under Abisai, Serujas sønn, Joabs bror, og en tredjedel under gittitten Ittai, og kongen sa til folket: Jeg vil og dra ut med eder.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Judges 7:16

    And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch.

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  • 2 Samuel 15:19–22

    Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Go back and stay with the new king, since you are both a foreigner and an exile from your homeland.

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  • 1 Samuel 11:11

    The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

    Read in context

  • Judges 7:19

    Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands.

    Read in context

  • Psalms 118:6–8

    The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

    Read in context

  • Judges 9:43

    So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them.

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  • 2 Samuel 10:7–10

    On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men.

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  • 2 Samuel 17:11

    Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beersheba—a multitude like the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, and that you yourself lead them into battle.

    Read in context