2Sam 15
1
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him a chariot 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 had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called
to him, and said, Of what city are you? And he said, Your servant is of one of the
tribes of Israel.
3
And Absalom said to him, See, your matters are good and right; but there is no man
deputed of the king to hear you.
4
Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has
any suit or cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!
5
And it was so, that, when any man came nigh to do him obeisance, he put forth his
hand, and took hold of 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 at the end of forty years, that Absalom said to the king, I pray
you, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to YHWH, in Hebron.
8
For your servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If YHWH shall
indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve YHWH.
9
And the king said to 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 you
hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, Absalom is king in Hebron.
11
And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were invited, and went
in their simplicity; and they knew not anything.
12
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David`s counselor, from his city, even
from Giloh, while he was offering the 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 to all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let
us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest
he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge
of the sword.
15
And the king`s servants said to the king, Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever
my lord the king shall choose.
16
And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women,
that were concubines, to keep the house.
17
And the king went forth, and all the people after him; and they tarried in Beth-merhak.
18
And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites,
and all the Gittites, six hundred men that came after him from Gath, passed on before
the king.
19
Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore go you also with us? return, and
abide with the king: for you are a foreigner, and also an exile; [return] to your
own place.
20
Whereas you came but yesterday, should I this day make you go up and down with us,
seeing I go where I may? return you, and take back your brethren; mercy and truth
be with you.
21
And Ittai answered the king, and said, As YHWH lives, and as my lord the king lives,
surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, even
there also will your 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, behold, Zadok also [came], and all the Levites 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 to Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find
favor in the eyes of YHWH, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation:
26
but if he say thus, I have no delight in you; behold, here am I, let him do to me
as seems good to him.
27
The king said also to Zadok the priest, Art you [not] a seer? return into the city
in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28
See, I will tarry at the fords 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 abode
there.
30
And David went up by the ascent of the [mount of] Olives, and wept as he went up;
and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people that were 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 YHWH, I pray you, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
32
And it came to pass, that, when David was come to the top [of the ascent], where God
was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and
earth upon his head.
33
And 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;
as I have been your father`s servant in time past, so will I now be your servant;
then will you defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.
35
And have you not there with you Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall
be, that what thing soever you shall hear out of the king`s house, you shall 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 you shall send to me everything that you shall hear.
37
So Hushai, David`s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.