The king said to them, “I will do what seems best to you.” So the king stood beside the gate while all of the people went out by hundreds and thousands.
Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gate, to the city wall. He lifted his eyes and saw a man running by himself.
The king commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Deal gently with the young man Absalom.” All of the people heard the king instruct the commanders concerning Absalom.