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2 Samuel 18:4

2 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.”

“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.

5 Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom.

6 So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel in the battle, which took place in the forest of Ephraim.

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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.

Compare

BSB
“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.
KJV
And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
WEB
The king said to them, “I will do what seems best to you.” The king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
ASV
And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate-side, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
DARBY
And the king said to them, I will do what is good in your sight. And the king stood by the gate-side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
BLB
And the king said to them, “That which seems best in your⁺ eyes I will do.” And the king stood at the side of the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
ÅB
Da sa kongen til dem: Jeg skal gjøre som dere synes. Så stilte kongen seg ved siden av porten, og alt folket dro ut, hundrevis og tusenvis.
OTB
Kongen sa til dem: "Hva som synes best i deres øyne, vil jeg gjøre." Så sto kongen ved porten, og alt folket gikk ut i hundrevis og tusenvis.
B1930
Da sa kongen til dem: Jeg skal gjøre som I synes. Så stilte kongen sig ved siden av porten, og alt folket drog ut, hundrevis og tusenvis.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 28:6

    a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 18:24

    Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone.

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 18:1

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

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 29:2

    As the Philistine leaders marched out their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched behind them with Achish.

    Read in context