Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 18:1-8
Which way David raised an army here, and what reinforcements were sent him, we are not told; many, it is likely, from all the coasts of Israel, at least from the neighbouring tribes, came in to his assistance, so that, by degrees, he was able to make head against Absalom, as Ahithophel foresaw. Now here we have,
I. His army numbered and marshalled, Sa2 18:1, Sa2 18:2. He had, no doubt, committed his cause to God by prayer, for that was his relief in all his afflictions; and then he took an account of his forces. Josephus says they were, in all, but about 4000. These he divided into regiments and companies, to each of which he appointed proper officers, and then disposed them, as is usual, in…
Read the whole note in the consoleAdam Clarke on 2 Samuel 18:3
But now thou art worth ten thousand of us - The particle יתה attah, now, is doubtless a mistake for the pronoun אתה attah, thou; and so it appears to have been read by the Septuagint, the Vulgate, and the Chaldee, and by two of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS.
John Gill on 2 Samuel 18:3
But the people answered, thou shalt not go forth,.... They were as resolute as David:
for if we flee away, they will not care for us; to pursue after us:
neither if half of us die, will they care for us; they will make no account of the victory; but if they could slay David, or get him into their hands, it would be more to them than if the whole army was routed:
but now thou art worth ten thousand of us; not only in our own esteem, but in the account of the enemy, who had rather thou shouldest fall into their hands than ten thousand of us; and as the advantage to them, so the loss to us would be more than ten thousand men:
therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city;…
Read the whole note in the consoleTyndale Open Study Notes on 2 Samuel 18:3
You are worth 10,000 of us: Although David’s men flattered him, their insistence that he stay behind might actually suggest David’s advancing frailty (see 21:15-17).
