 1 After this, Absalom prepared himself chariots and horses and 50 men to run before him. 2 Absalom rose early and stood beside the way of the gate. And it was so, if any man had a suit to come before the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him and said, What city are you from? And he said, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. 3 Absalom said to him, See. Your matters are good and right. But no listener from the king will hear you. 4 Absalom said, Oh that I might be made judge in the land, so that every man who has any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice. 5 It was so, when any man came near to bow down to him, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him. 6 In this way Absalom did to all Israel that came to the king for judgment. And Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 7 At the end of 40 years, Absalom said to the king, Please let me go and pay my vow that I have vowed to the Lord in Hebron. 8 For your servant vowed a vow while I lived at Geshur in Syria saying, If the Lord will indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord. 9 The king said to him, Go in peace. And he arose and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel saying, As soon as you hear the sound of the ram's horn, then you shall say, Absalom reigns in Hebron. 11 With Absalom went 200 called men out of Jerusalem. They went in their honesty and did not know anything. 12 Absalom sent for Ahithophel of Giloh, David's counselor, from his city Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people with Absalom grew more and more. 13 A messenger came to David saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14 David said to all his servants with him at Jerusalem, Arise and let us flee. For otherwise we will not escape from Absalom. Hurry+ lest he overtake us suddenly and bring evil upon us and strike the city with the edge of the sword. 15 The king's servants said to the king, Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king shall appoint. 16 The king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house. 17 The king went forth and all the people after him and stayed in a place that was far off. 18 All his servants passed on beside him, all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, 600 men who came after him from Gath passed before the king. 19 Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, Why do you also go with us? Return to your place and stay with the king. For you are a stranger and also an exile. 20 Since you came only yesterday, should I make you go up and down with us today? Since I go where I may, you may return and take back your brothers. May mercy and truth be with you. 21 Ittai answered the king and said, As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will your servant be. 22 David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little children with him. 23 All the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over. The king himself also passed over the river Kidron, and all the people passed over toward the way of the wilderness. 24 Zadok came, and all the Levites were with him, carrying the ark of the covenant of God and they set down the ark of God. Abiathar went until all the people had finished passing out of the city. 25 The king said to Zadok, Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me again and show it and its place to me. 26 But if He says, I have no delight in you, let Him do to me as seems good to Him. 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, Are you a seer? Return to the city in peace and your two sons with you. Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 I will wait in the plain of the wilderness there until word comes from you to tell me. 29 Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem and they remained there. 30 David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet and wept as he went. He had his head covered and went barefoot and all of the people with him each covered their head, weeping as they went. 31 One told David, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. David said, O Lord I ask you, turn the advice of Ahithophel to foolishness. 32 When David reached the top where he worshiped God, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn and earth upon his head. 33 David said to him, If you pass on with me then you will be a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, I will be your servant O king, I have been your father's servant until now and now I also will be your servant, then you may break down the advice of Ahithophel for me. 35 Do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you? Whatever you hear out of the king's house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Behold, they have their two sons there with them, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son. Send everything that you hear from them to me. 37 David's friend Hushai came to the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.
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