2SA-15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared
him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2SA-15:2 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.
2SA-15:3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters [are] good
and right; but [there is] no man [deputed] of the king to hear
thee.
2SA-15:4 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!
2SA-15:5 And it was [so], that when any man came night [to him]
to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and
kissed him.
2SA-15:6 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.
2SA-15:7 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.
2SA-15:8 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.
2SA-15:9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose,
and went to Hebron.
2SA-15:10 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.
2SA-15:11 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.
2SA-15:12 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.
2SA-15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The
hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
2SA-15:14 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.
2SA-15:15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold,
thy servants [are ready to do] whatsoever my lord the king shall
appoint.
2SA-15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household after
him. And the king left ten women, [which were] concubines, to
keep the house.
2SA-15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him,
and tarried in a place that was far off.
2SA-15:18 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.
2SA-15:19 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.
2SA-15:20 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.
2SA-15:21 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.
2SA-15:22 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.
2SA-15:23 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.
2SA-15:24 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.
2SA-15:25 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 show me [both] it, and his
habitation:
2SA-15:26 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.
2SA-15:27 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.
2SA-15:28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness,
until there come word from you to certify me.
2SA-15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God
again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
2SA-15:30 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.
2SA-15:31 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.
2SA-15:32 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:
2SA-15:33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then
thou shalt be a burden unto me:
2SA-15:34 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.
2SA-15:35 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.
2SA-15:36 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.
2SA-15:37 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and
Absalom came into Jerusalem.
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