5. The king gave a command to Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He said, “Do this for me: Be gentle with young Absalom!” Everyone heard the king’s orders about Absalom to the captains.
6. David’s army went out into the field against Absalom’s Israelites. They fought in the forest of Ephraim.
7. David’s army defeated the Israelites. It was a great defeat because 20,000 men were killed that day.
8. The battle spread throughout the country, but more men died in the forest than by the sword.