John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. But the people answered, thou shalt not go forth , etc.] 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 ; either by sending them provisions or recruits, that might be there in reserve, if necessary; or by being ready to receive them into it should they be repulsed; or rather by his prayers to God for them; so the Targum, “now it is better that thou pray for us out of the city;” that is, that the Lord would help us; and so most of the Jewish commentators understand it of helping them by his prayers and counsels.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - How does David render good for evil! Absalom would have only Davi smitten; David would have only Absalom spared. This seems to be resemblance of man's wickedness towards God, and God's mercy to man, of which it is hard to say which is most amazing. Now the Israelites se what it is to take counsel against the Lord and his anointed.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 העם5971 לא3808 תצא3318 כי3588 אם518 נס5127 ננוס5127 לא3808 ישׂימו7760 אלינו413 לב3820 ואם518 ימתו4191 חצינו2677 לא3808 ישׂימו7760 אלינו413 לב3820 כי3588 עתה6258 כמנו3644 עשׂרה6235 אלפים505 ועתה6258 טוב2896 כי3588 תהיה1961 לנו מעיר5892 לעזיר׃5826
