| 1 | And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. |
| 2 | And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was [so], that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city [art] thou? And he said, Thy servant [is] of one of the tribes of Israel. |
| 3 | And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters [are] good and right; but [there is] no man [deputed] of the king to hear thee. |
| 4 | Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! |
| 5 | And it was [so], that when any man came nigh [to him] to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. |
| 6 | And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. |
| 7 | And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. |
| 8 | For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. |
| 9 | And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. |
| 10 | But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. |
| 11 | And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, [that were] called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. |
| 12 | And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, [even] from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. |
| 13 | And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. |
| 14 | And David said unto all his servants that [were] with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not [else] escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. |
| 15 | And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants [are ready to do] whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. |
| 16 | And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, [which were] concubines, to keep the house. |
| 17 | And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. |
| 18 | And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. |
| 19 | Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou [art] a stranger, and also an exile. |
| 20 | Whereas thou camest [but] yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth [be] with thee. |
| 21 | And Ittai answered the king, and said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. |
| 22 | And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that [were] with him. |
| 23 | And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. |
| 24 | And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites [were] with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. |
| 25 | And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me [both] it, and his habitation: |
| 26 | But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, [here am] I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. |
| 27 | The king said also unto Zadok the priest, [Art not] thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. |
| 28 | See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. |
| 29 | Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. |
| 30 | And David went up by the ascent of [mount] Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that [was] with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. |
| 31 | And [one] told David, saying, Ahithophel [is] among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. |
| 32 | And it came to pass, that [when] David was come to the top [of the mount], where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: |
| 33 | Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me: |
| 34 | But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy father's servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. |
| 35 | And [hast thou] not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, [that] what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell [it] to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. |
| 36 | Behold, [they have] there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's [son], and Jonathan Abiathar's [son]; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. |
| 37 | So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem. |
