But the people answered, thou shalt not go forth,.... 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.