Definition: And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, [Deal] gently for my sake with the young man, [even] with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's a bit complex, but we can understand it in a few key parts: The Basic Situation: This passage is about King David dealing with his advisors – Joab, Abishai, and Ittai – regarding Absalom. Absalom was his son, and the situation is tense because he’s being treated poorly by David. Let's look at each part: “And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai…” This tells us that David made a specific instruction to these three advisors: “Command them gently” with Absalom. “…saying, [Deal] gently for my sake with the young man, [even] with Absalom.” This is the crucial part. “Deal gently” means to be kind and considerate towards Absalom. It’s not a harsh command, but a request for tenderness. “Even with Absalom” emphasizes that this isn't just about giving him a little kindness – it’s about treating him with respect and understanding. “And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.” This is the context of why they were listening. David, as King, had given commands to his captains (Joab, Abishai, and Ittai) to handle Absalom’s situation. They were essentially tasked with overseeing how to deal with him – and they listened to what happened because it was a significant event. Putting it all together - A Simple Explanation: David was being kind and thoughtful towards his son, Absalom, even when giving instructions to his advisors about how to handle him. He wanted to avoid any harshness or anger directed at him. The people were paying attention to this because David had given a significant command regarding Absalom’s situation. Possible Interpretation: This verse highlights David's care for his son and his desire to treat him with respect, even in difficult circumstances. It suggests that he was trying to maintain a positive relationship with Absalom, despite the challenges he faced. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Give you some examples of how this verse relates to other Bible stories?