So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead.
The two hosts faced each other in the land of Gilead, for David had fallen back to Mahanaim while Absalom with Israel pitched in Gilead. Mahanaim itself had formerly been the royal seat of Ishbosheth. It was a strongly fortified city, ringed by a mountainous district that made it favorable ground for retreat in time of war. The country around it was well supplied with provision, and its people were friendly to David's cause.
There at Mahanaim many adherents gathered to David and joined him. Wealthy men of the tribes brought him abundant gifts of provision and other needed supplies for his forces.
The two hosts faced each other in the land of Gilead, for David had fallen back to Mahanaim while Absalom with Israel pitched in Gilead. Mahanaim itself had formerly been the royal seat of Ishbosheth. It was a strongly fortified city, ringed by a mountainous district that made it favorable ground for retreat in time of war. The country around it was well supplied with provision, and its people were friendly to David's cause.
There at Mahanaim many adherents gathered to David and joined him. Wealthy men of the tribes brought him abundant gifts of provision and other needed supplies for his forces.