“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.” (2 Samuel 15:1-37 AV)
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