But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.

2 SAMUEL 18:3KJV
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2 Samuel 18:3 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 18:3 mean?

2 Samuel 18:3 shows David’s people urging him not to join the battle, saying that his life is far more valuable than theirs and that he should stay in the city to support them from there. They believe that if David is killed, it would be a much greater loss than if many of them were to die.

In this verse, David’s soldiers are responding to his desire to go out with them to fight Absalom’s forces. They insist that David is “worth ten thousand” of them, highlighting his importance as king and leader. The people want David to “succour” (help or support) them from the safety of the city, rather than risk his life on the battlefield.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 18:3

  • “Worth” (כָּמֹךָ, kamokha): This word means “like you” or “as you,” and here it emphasizes the unique value of David compared to his soldiers. The people are saying David is as valuable as ten thousand of them.
  • “Succour” (עָזַר, azar): This verb means “to help” or “to support.” The people want David to help them not by fighting, but by offering support and leadership from a safe place.
  • “Care” (שִׂים לֵב, sim lev): This phrase means “to pay attention to” or “to care about.” The people believe the enemy will not care if ordinary soldiers die, but would focus all their efforts on David.

Why 2 Samuel 18:3 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s followers saw his survival as crucial for the nation’s future, not just for the battle at hand.
  • The verse highlights the loyalty and protective instincts of David’s people, showing their willingness to risk themselves for their king.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain why David stayed behind during the battle with Absalom, a key detail in the unfolding story.

Where else these words appear

“worth” Hebrew H3644 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
  • 1 Kings 22:4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
  • Isaiah 26:18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

“succour” Hebrew H5826 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 49:25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
  • 2 Chronicles 20:23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
  • Psalms 107:12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

“half” Hebrew H2677 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Joshua 13:31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.

“flee” Hebrew H5127 · used in 143 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Judges 8:12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.