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2 Samuel 18:5

AbishaiAbsalomIttaiJoab
Mercy and compassionParents and childrenLove for others

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.

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.

7 There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men.

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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
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.
KJV
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
WEB
The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” All the people heard when the king commanded all the captains concerning Absalom.
ASV
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
DARBY
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, [Deal] gently for my sake with the young man Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
BLB
And the king had commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Be gentle for my sake with the young man, Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders all the captains concerning Absalom.
ÅB
Og kongen befalte Joab og Abisai og Ittai og sa: Far varsomt med den unge mann - med Absalom! Og alt folket hørte på at kongen gav alle høvedsmennene dette påbud om Absalom.
OTB
Og kongen befalte Joab, Abisjai og Ittai og sa: "Vis mildhet for min skyld mot den unge mannen Absalom." Og alt folket hørte kongen gi ordre angående Absalom til høvedsmennene.
B1930
Og kongen bød Joab og Abisai og Ittai og sa: Far varsomt med den unge mann - med Absalom! Og alt folket hørte på at kongen gav alle høvedsmennene dette påbud om Absalom.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 21:18–21

    If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined,

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  • 2 Samuel 17:14

    Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 17:1–4

    Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 16:11

    Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so.

    Read in context

  • Luke 23:34

    Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 18:12

    The man replied, “Even if a thousand shekels of silver were weighed out into my hands, I would not raise my hand against the son of the king. For we heard the king command you and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for my sake.’

    Read in context

  • Psalms 103:13

    As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

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