And there went out after him Joab's men,.... Who though he was removed from his post as general, yet might still have the command of a regiment:
and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; over whom Benaiah was, 2 Samuel 20:23; these attended David in his flight, and had now returned with him, 2 Samuel 15:18;
and all the mighty men; the military men that were at Jerusalem as many as could be spared:
and they went out of Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri; with Abishai at the head of them; Josephus q says there were six hundred, besides the soldiers at Jerusalem that went on this pursuit.
q Antiqu. l. 7. c. 11. sect. 7.