2
Absalom used to riseearly and standbeside* the way to the gate; and when anymanhad a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, "From what*city are you?" And he would say, "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel."
4
Moreover, Absalom would say, "Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then everymanwhohas any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice."
8
"For your servantvowed a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying, 'If the LORD shall indeedbring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.' "
10
But Absalomsentspies 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.' "
12
And Absalomsent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David'scounselor, from his cityGiloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the peopleincreasedcontinually with Absalom.
14
Davidsaid to all his servantswho were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise and let us flee, for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom. Go in haste, or he will overtake us quickly and bringdowncalamity on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword."
18
Now all his servantspassed on beside* him, all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, sixhundredmenwho had come with him from Gath, passed on before the king.
19
Then the kingsaid to Ittai the Gittite, "Why will you alsogo with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place.
20
"You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander with us, while I gowhere* I will? Return and takeback your brothers; mercy and truth be with you."
21
But Ittaianswered the king and said, "As the LORDlives, and as my lord the kinglives, surely*wherever** my lord the king may be, whether for deathor for life, therealso your servant will be."
23
While all the country was weeping with a loudvoice, all the peoplepassedover. The king also passedover the brookKidron, and all the peoplepassedovertoward* the way of the wilderness.
24
Now behold, Zadokalso came, and all the Levites with him carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they setdown the ark of God, and Abiatharcame up untilall the people had finishedpassing from the city.
25
The kingsaid to Zadok, "Return the ark of God to the city. If I findfavor in the sight of the LORD, then He will bring me back again and show me both it and His habitation.
27
The kingsaid also to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace and your twosons with you, your sonAhimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
30
And Davidwent up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went, and his head was covered and he walkedbarefoot. Then all the peoplewho were with him eachcovered his head and went up weeping as they went.
31
Now someone toldDavid, saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." And Davidsaid, "O LORD, I pray, make the counsel of Ahithophelfoolishness."
32
It happened as David was coming to the summit, where*God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the Architemet him with his coattorn and dust on his head.
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'sservant in timepast, so I will now be your servant,' then you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me.
35
"Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So it shall be that whatever** you hear from the king'shouse, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36
"Behold their twosons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send me everything that you hear."