2
And Absalom rose up early, and stoodbeside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversycame to the king for judgment, then Absalomcalled unto him, and said, Of whatcity art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
4
Absalomsaid moreover, Oh that I were madejudge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
7
And it came to pass afterfortyyears, that Absalomsaid 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 servantvowed 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.
10
But Absalomsentspies throughout all the tribes of Israel,saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalomreigneth in Hebron.
12
And Absalomsent for Ahithophel the Gilonite,David'scounsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offeredsacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the peopleincreasedcontinually with Absalom.
14
And Davidsaid unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem,Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escapefromAbsalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bringevil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
18
And all his servants passed onbeside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites,sixhundredmen which cameafter him from Gath, passed onbefore 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 Ittaianswered the king, and said, As the LORDliveth, and as my lord the kingliveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
23
And all the countrywept with a loudvoice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brookKidron, 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 donepassing out of the city.
25
And the kingsaid unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall findfavour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
27
The kingsaid also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your twosons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
30
And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his headcovered, and he wentbarefoot: 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 toldDavid,saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And Davidsaid, 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 worshippedGod, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coatrent, and earth upon his head:
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'sservanthitherto, 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'shouse, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36
Behold, they have there with them their twosons,AhimaazZadok's son, and JonathanAbiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.