The messenger said to David, &#8220;The men overpowered us and attacked us<n id="1" /> in the field. But we forced them to retreat all the way<n id="2" /> to the door of the city gate.

<p class="bodytext">But the soldiers replied,<n id="1" /> &#8220;You should not do this!<n id="2" /> For if we should have to make a rapid retreat, they won&#8217;t be too concerned about us.<n id="3" /> Even if half of us should die, they won&#8217;t be too concerned about us. But you<n id="4" /> are like ten thousand of us! So it is better if you remain in the city for support.&#8221;