Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 20:6

"And David said to Abishai, Now will Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord`s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fortified cities, and escape out of our sight." — 2 Samuel 20:6 (ASV)

David said to Abishai. David is determined to bypass Joab. Therefore, when Amasa fails in this crisis, which requires immediate action, David summons Abishai. He puts Abishai in command of the forces available in Jerusalem and gives him orders for the rapid pursuit of Sheba.

The phrase “escape us” is difficult to interpret, and its meaning in the original text is uncertain. The English translation follows the Vulgate. Others translate it as “pluck out our eye,” meaning, do us great harm. Still others, following the Septuagint, render it as “overshadow our eye,” which could mean either to cause us anxiety or to hide where we cannot find him.