There David’s men defeated Israel’s army, and the massacre was sizable that day—20,000 men.
This is what he did for all Israelites who came to the king to have him try their case. So Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
So the troops went out to the country to fight Israel in the forest of Ephraim.
The fighting spread over the whole country. That day the woods devoured more people than the battle.
Fierce fighting broke out that day, and David’s men defeated Abner and the men of Israel.
Then Abner called to Joab, “Should this slaughter go on forever? Don’t you know this will end in bitterness? How long will it be before you will call off your troops from chasing their relatives?”
However, David’s officers had killed 360 of the men of Benjamin under Abner’s command.
In one day Pekah, son of Remaliah, killed 120,000 soldiers in Judah because they had abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors.
You are the one who gives victory to kings. You are the one who snatches your servant David away from a deadly sword.
Certainly, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the descendants of righteous people will escape.
Fear the Lord, my son. Fear the king as well. Do not associate with those who always insist upon change,