2 Samuel 18:1-3

1Then David 1numbered the people who were with him and 2set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.

2David sent the people out, 3one third under the 4command of Joab, one third under the 5command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the 6command of 7Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.”

3But the people said, “8You 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 9you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city.”