Thou shalt not go forth; for this was Absalom's great error, into which he was drawn by a Divine infatuation, and by Hushai's craft, to go to battle in his own person, which was the utter ruin of him and of his cause. Thou art worth ten thousand of us; not only for the dignity of thy person, but also for the importance of our common cause and concern, which, if thou art slain, is irrecoverably lost. That thou succour us out of the city, by sending us supplies of men, and provisions of all sorts, as we have occasion; and by securing our retreat, if we be defeated. Or thus, Not go along to the battle with us, but only go out with us, or accompany us out of the city, (to encourage the company,) slid then retire for thy own safety. And so it seems by the next verse.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 18:3
2 Samuel 18:3
3 But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not carea 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.