4. The king said, "I'll do what you think is best." So the king stood beside the city gate. The whole army marched out in companies of hundreds and companies of thousands.
5. The king gave an order to Joab, Abishai and Ittai. He commanded them, "Be gentle with the young man Absalom. Do it for me." All of the troops heard the king give the commanders that order about Absalom.
6. David's army marched into the field to fight against Israel. The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.
7. There David's men won the battle over Israel's army. A huge number of men were wounded or killed that day. The total number was 20,000.
8. The fighting spread out over the whole countryside. But more men were killed in the forest that day than out in the open.