Bible Strands
2 Samuel 18:2
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David addresses his assembled troops after reviewing them and appointing commanders of thousands and hundreds. He divides the army into three divisions and declares his intention to march out alongside them.
The words — וַיְשַלַּח (va/y.sha.Lach) means "and he sent out," while הַשְּׁלִשִׁית (ha./she.li.Shit) translates to "the third," indicating the specific fractional division of the army under each commander.
The thread — The division of forces into three parts echoes the tactical structure in Judges 7:16 and Judges 7:19, while David’s offer to march with the troops contrasts with his earlier dismissal of Ittai in 2 Samuel 15:19.
Why it lands — The text records a military arrangement and a royal promise, requiring the reader to note the contrast between David’s stated loyalty and the troops’ subsequent plea that he remain in the city for their protection.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
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.
- 2 Samuel 15:19 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 2 Samuel 10:7 On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men.
- 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.
- Psalms 3:6 I will not fear the myriads set against me on every side.
- Psalms 27:1 Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?
- Psalms 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?