18:1
    [kjv]  And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them.
    [bbe]  And David had the people who were with him numbered, and he put over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds.
18:2  
    [kjv]  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.
    [bbe]  And David sent the people out, a third of them under the orders of Joab, and a third under the orders of Abishai, son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, And I myself will certainly go out with you.
18:3  
    [kjv]  But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.
    [bbe]  But the people said, It is better for you not to go out: for if we are put to flight, they will not give a thought to us, and if death overtakes half of us, it will be nothing to them: but you are of more value than ten thousand of us: so it is better for you to be ready to come to our help from this town.
18:4
    [kjv]  And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.
    [bbe]  And the king said to them, I will do whatever seems best to you. So the king took his place by the door of the town, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
18:5
    [kjv]  And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
    [bbe]  And the king gave orders to Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Because of me, be gentle to the young man Absalom. And this order about Absalom was given in the hearing of all the people.
18:6  
    [kjv]  So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
    [bbe]  So the people went out into the field against Israel, and the fight took place in the woods of Ephraim.
18:7
    [kjv]  Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men.
    [bbe]  And the people of Israel were overcome there by the servants of David, and there was a great destruction that day, and twenty thousand men were put to the sword.
18:8  
    [kjv]  For the battle was there scattered over the face of all the country: and the wood devoured more people that day than the sword devoured.
    [bbe]  And the fighting went on over all the face of the country: and the woods were responsible for more deaths than the sword.
18:9  
    [kjv]  And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.
    [bbe]  And Absalom came across some of David's men. And Absalom was seated on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great tree, and his head became fixed in the tree and he was lifted up between earth and heaven, and the beast under him went on.
18:10
    [kjv]  And a certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, Behold, I saw Absalom hanged in an oak.
    [bbe]  And a certain man saw it and said to Joab, I saw Absalom hanging in a tree.
18:11
    [kjv]  And Joab said unto the man that told him, And, behold, thou sawest him, and why didst thou not smite him there to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle.
    [bbe]  And Joab said to the man who had given him the news, If you saw this, why did you not put your sword through him, and I would have given you ten bits of silver and a band for your robe?
18:12  
    [kjv]  And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom.
    [bbe]  And the man said to Joab, Even if you gave me a thousand bits of silver, I would not put out my hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king gave orders to you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Take care that the young man Absalom is not touched.
18:13  
    [kjv]  Otherwise I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.
    [bbe]  And if I had falsely put him to death (and nothing may be kept secret from the king), you would have had nothing to do with me.
18:14  
    [kjv]  Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
    [bbe]  Then Joab said, I would have made it safe for you. And he took three spears in his hand, and put them through Absalom's heart, while he was still living, in the branches of the tree.
18:15
    [kjv]  And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.
    [bbe]  And ten young men, servants of Joab, came round Absalom and put an end to him.
18:16
    [kjv]  And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.
    [bbe]  And Joab had the horn sounded, and the people came back from going after Israel, for Joab kept them back.
18:17
    [kjv]  And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
    [bbe]  And they took Absalom............