John Gill Commentary 2 Samuel 18:3

"But the people said, 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 thou art worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that thou be ready to succor us out of the city." — 2 Samuel 18:3 (ASV)

But the people answered, thou shalt not go forth They were as resolute as David:

for if we flee away, they will not care for us ; to pursue after us;

neither if half of us die, will they care for us ; they will make no account of the victory; but if they could slay David, or get him into their hands, it would be more to them than if the whole army was routed:

but now [you are] worth ten thousand of us ; not only in our own esteem, but in the account of the enemy, who had rather you should fall into their hands than ten thousand of us; and as the advantage to them, so the loss to us would be more than ten thousand men:

therefore now [it is] better that you succour us out of the city ; either by sending them provisions or recruits, that might be there in reserve, if necessary; or by being ready to receive them into it should they be repulsed; or rather by his prayers to God for them; so the Targum,``now it is better that you pray for us out of the city;'' that is, that the Lord would help us; and so most of the Jewish commentators understand it of helping them by his prayers and counsels.