2 Samuel 18:4 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

What seemeth you best. — David was nothing loth to avoid the personal encounter with his son, and readily yielded, He, however, encouraged the troops by reviewing them as they passed out, and improved the opportunity to give his generals special and public charge concerning Absalom. He speaks of him tenderly as “the young man” (2 Samuel 18:5; comp. 2 Samuel 18:29; 2 Samuel 18:32), to imply that his sin was a youthful indiscretion.