² David sent the people out, ^(A)one third under the ^[a]command of Joab, one third under the ^[b]command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and one third under the ^[c]command of ^(B)Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.” ³ But the people said, “^(C)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 ^[d]you are worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that you be ready to help us from the city.” ⁴ Then the king said to them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do.” So ^(D)the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and thousands.