2 Samuel 18:5
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom.
Cross-reference
In 2 Samuel 18:12, a soldier says he would not harm Absalom because of David's command, showing the command was taken seriously.
In 2 Samuel 18:14, Joab kills Absalom against David's explicit order — a direct contrast and tragic disobedience.
2 Samuel 16:11 shows David's forbearance toward Shimei, paralleling his command to deal gently with Absalom — a pattern of mercy.
In 2 Samuel 17:14, God thwarts Ahithophel's advice to bring disaster on Absalom, setting up the tragic outcome despite David's plea for mercy.
In 2 Samuel 17:1-4, Ahithophel plots to attack David — contrasting David's command to deal gently with Absalom.
Deuteronomy 21:18-21 commands stoning a rebellious son — opposite to David's gentle command, showing fatherly mercy over legal justice.
Psalm 103:13 describes a father's compassion — echoing David's fatherly gentleness toward Absalom.