2Sa 18:1-5

Then David numbered the people who were with him and set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.

David sent the people out,
one third under the command of Joab,
one third under the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother,
and one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite.
And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.”

But the people said,
“You should not go out; for if we indeed flee, they will not care about us;
even if half of us die, they will not care about us.
But you are worth ten thousand of us;
therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city.”

Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.”
So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands.

The king charged Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying,
“Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.”
And all the people heard when the king charged all the commanders concerning Absalom.

David sent the people out.
He desired to go with them, but the people were aware of the situation.
They nor David could afford for the king to be killed or captured.

So, King David stood by the gate as the people went out…many people.

David gave one last charge.
A charge that was the beginning of something that would cause pain.
He told the commanders to “deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom…”

All the people heard.
What were they hearing?
The concern of a father for this son?
Yes. No doubt.
David was heart-broken over what was occurring.
But, they also heard the charge of concern over an enemy…one that they were laying their lives before.
Was David more concern for his traitorous son then he was for his people?

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