And the king said to them, I will do that which is good in your eyes. And the king stood at the side of the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
And David was sitting between the two gates. And the watchman went to the roof of the gate and lifted up his eyes and saw; and, behold, a man running by himself!
And the king commanded Joab, and Abishai, and Ittai, saying, For my sake deal gently with the young man, with Absalom. And all the people heard as the king commanded the commanders concerning Absalom.