2 Samuel 18:4

4 "I'll do what you think best," the king responded. So the king stood by the gate while all the troops marched out by battalions and regiments.

2 Samuel 18:4 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 18:4

And the king said unto them, what seemeth you best I will do,
&c.] Which was an instance of great condescension in him; and it was his wisdom and prudence to yield to them at such a time as this, and especially as their sentiments were founded on affection and loyalty to him:

and the king stood by the gate side;
of the city of Mahanaim:

and all the people came out by hundreds, and by thousands;
and passed by him, to whom no doubt he gave his blessing and best wishes; and, as Abarbinel thinks, now it was he composed and said the twentieth psalm, "The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble" ( Psalms 20:1-9 ) .

2 Samuel 18:4 In-Context

2 David put a third of the troops under Joab's command, another third under Joab's brother Abishai (Zeruiah's son), and the last third under Ittai from Gath. "I am going [into battle] with you," the king said to the troops.

3 "You're not going [with us]," the troops said. "If we flee, they won't care about us, and if half of us die, they won't care either. But you're worth 10,000 of us. It's better for you to be ready to send us help from the city."

4 "I'll do what you think best," the king responded. So the king stood by the gate while all the troops marched out by battalions and regiments.

5 The king ordered Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, "Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake." All the troops heard him give all the commanders this order regarding Absalom.

6 So the troops went out to the country to fight Israel in the forest of Ephraim.