Absalom got up early and stood near the gate. [81] Absalom watched for any person with problems who was going to King David for judgment. Then Absalom would talk to that person. Absalom would say, “What city are you from?” The man would answer, “I am from such and such family group in Israel.”
David was sitting between the two gates {of the city}. The watchman went up to the roof over the gate walls. The watchman looked up and saw a man running alone.
Then Jehoram and all his chariots [101] went to Zair. The Edomite army surrounded them. Jehoram and his officers attacked them and escaped. Jehoram’s soldiers all ran away and went home.
So the Philistines fought very hard and defeated the Israelites. Every Israelite soldier ran away to his tent. It was a terrible defeat for Israel. 30,000 Israelite soldiers were killed.