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.
