2 Samuel 18:3
But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care 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.
David's officers and people united in urging him not to go out in person to lead the army into battle. They reasoned that if the soldiers fled, Absalom's forces would pay them no attention, and even if half of them were killed it would make no difference to the enemy's purpose. The decisive prize was David himself, who alone was valued as equal to ten thousand ordinary soldiers. For that reason they insisted it was wiser for him to stay behind in the city, where he could send help and support to them in the fight.