1 And it came to pass after this{H310}, that Absalom{H53} prepared{H6213}{(H8799)} him chariots{H4818} and horses{H5483}, and fifty{H2572} men{H376} to run{H7323}{(H8801)} before{H6440} him.

2 And Absalom{H53} rose up early{H7925}{(H8689)}, and stood{H5975}{(H8804)} beside{H3027} the way{H1870} of the gate{H8179}: and it was so, that when any man{H376} that had a controversy{H7379} came{H935}{(H8800)} to the king{H4428} for judgment{H4941}, then Absalom{H53} called{H7121}{(H8799)} unto him, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, Of what{H335} city{H5892} art thou? And he said{H559}{(H8799)}, Thy servant{H5650} is of one{H259} of the tribes{H7626} of Israel{H3478}.

3 And Absalom{H53} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto him, See{H7200}{(H8798)}, thy matters{H1697} are good{H2896} and right{H5228}; but there is no man deputed of the king{H4428} to hear{H8085}{(H8802)} thee.

4 Absalom{H53} said{H559}{(H8799)} moreover, Oh that I were made{H7760}{(H8799)} judge{H8199}{(H8802)} in the land{H776}, that every man{H376} which hath any suit{H7379} or cause{H4941} might come{H935}{(H8799)} unto me, and I would do him justice{H6663}{(H8689)}!

5 And it was so, that when any man{H376} came nigh{H7126}{(H8800)} to him to do him obeisance{H7812}{(H8692)}, he put forth{H7971}{(H8804)} his hand{H3027}, and took{H2388}{(H8689)} him, and kissed{H5401}{(H8804)} him.

6 And on this manner{H1697} did{H6213}{(H8799)} Absalom{H53} to all Israel{H3478} that came{H935}{(H8799)} to the king{H4428} for judgment{H4941}: so Absalom{H53} stole{H1589}{(H8762)} the hearts{H3820} of the men{H582} of Israel{H3478}.

7 And it came to pass after{H7093} forty{H705} years{H8141}, that Absalom{H53} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the king{H4428}, I pray thee, let me go{H3212}{(H8799)} and pay{H7999}{(H8762)} my vow{H5088}, which I have vowed{H5087}{(H8804)} unto the LORD{H3068}, in Hebron{H2275}.

8 For thy servant{H5650} vowed{H5087}{(H8804)} a vow{H5088} while I abode{H3427}{(H8800)} at Geshur{H1650} in Syria{H758}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, If the LORD{H3068} shall bring me again{H7725}{(H8799)}{(H8676)}{H7725}{(H8686)} indeed to Jerusalem{H3389}, then I will serve{H5647}{(H8804)} the LORD{H3068}.

9 And the king{H4428} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto him, Go{H3212}{(H8798)} in peace{H7965}. So he arose{H6965}{(H8799)}, and went{H3212}{(H8799)} to Hebron{H2275}.

10 But Absalom{H53} sent{H7971}{(H8799)} spies{H7270}{(H8764)} throughout all the tribes{H7626} of Israel{H3478}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, As soon as ye hear{H8085}{(H8800)} the sound{H6963} of the trumpet{H7782}, then ye shall say{H559}{(H8804)}, Absalom{H53} reigneth{H4427}{(H8804)} in Hebron{H2275}.

11 And with Absalom{H53} went{H1980}{(H8804)} two hundred{H3967} men{H376} out of Jerusalem{H3389}, that were called{H7121}{(H8803)}; and they went{H1980}{(H8802)} in their simplicity{H8537}, and they knew{H3045}{(H8804)} not any thing{H1697}.

12 And Absalom{H53} sent{H7971}{(H8799)} for Ahithophel{H302} the Gilonite{H1526}, David's{H1732} counsellor{H3289}{(H8802)}, from his city{H5892}, even from Giloh{H1542}, while he offered{H2076}{(H8800)} sacrifices{H2077}. And the conspiracy{H7195} was strong{H533}; for the people{H5971} increased{H7227} continually{H1980}{(H8802)} with Absalom{H53}.

13 And there came{H935}{(H8799)} a messenger{H5046}{(H8688)} to David{H1732}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, The hearts{H3820} of the men{H376} of Israel{H3478} are after{H310} Absalom{H53}.

14 And David{H1732} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto all his servants{H5650} that were with him at Jerusalem{H3389}, Arise{H6965}{(H8798)}, and let us flee{H1272}{(H8799)}; for we shall not else escape{H6413} from{H6440} Absalom{H53}: make speed{H4116}{(H8761)} to depart{H3212}{(H8800)}, lest he overtake{H5381}{(H8689)} us suddenly{H4116}{(H8762)}, and bring{H5080}{(H8689)} evil{H7451} upon us, and smite{H5221}{(H8689)} the city{H5892} with the edge{H6310} of the sword{H2719}.

15 And the king's{H4428} servants{H5650} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the king{H4428}, Behold, thy servants{H5650} are ready to do whatsoever my lord{H113} the king{H4428} shall appoint{H977}{(H8799)}.

16 And the king{H4428} went forth{H3318}{(H8799)}, and all his household{H1004} after{H7272} him. And the king{H4428} left{H5800}{(H8799)} ten{H6235} women{H802}, which were concubines{H6370}, to keep{H8104}{(H8800)} the house{H1004}.

17 And the king{H4428} went forth{H3318}{(H8799)}, and all the people{H5971} after{H7272} him, and tarried{H5975}{(H8799)} in a place{H1004} that was far off{H4801}{(H8677)}{H1023}.

18 And all his servants{H5650} passed on{H5674}{(H8802)} beside{H3027} him; and all the Cherethites{H3774}, and all the Pelethites{H6432}, and all the Gittites{H1663}, six{H8337} hundred{H3967} men{H376} which came{H935}{(H8804)} after{H7272} him from Gath{H1661}, passed on{H5674}{(H8802)} before{H6440} the king{H4428}.

19 Then said{H559}{(H8799)} the king{H4428} to Ittai{H863} the Gittite{H1663}, Wherefore goest{H3212}{(H8799)} thou also with us? return{H7725}{(H8798)} to thy place{H4725}, and abide{H3427}{(H8798)} with the king{H4428}: for thou art a stranger{H5237}, and also an exile{H1540}{(H8802)}.

20 Whereas thou camest{H935}{(H8800)} but yesterday{H8543}, should I this day{H3117} make thee go{H3212}{(H8800)} up and down{H5128}{(H8686)}{(H8675)}{H5128}{(H8799)} with us? seeing I go{H1980}{(H8802)} whither I may, return{H7725}{(H8798)} thou, and take back{H7725}{(H8685)} thy brethren{H251}: mercy{H2617} and truth{H571} be with thee.

21 And Ittai{H863} answered{H6030}{(H8799)} the king{H4428}, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, As the LORD{H3068} liveth{H2416}, and as my lord{H113} the king{H4428} liveth{H2416}, surely in what place{H4725} my lord{H113} the king{H4428} shall be, whether in death{H4194} or life{H2416}, even there also will thy servant{H5650} be.

22 And David{H1732} said{H559}{(H8799)} to Ittai{H863}, Go{H3212}{(H8798)} and pass over{H5674}{(H8798)}. And Ittai{H863} the Gittite{H1663} passed over{H5674}{(H8799)}, and all his men{H582}, and all the little ones{H2945} that were with him.

23 And all the country{H776} wept{H1058}{(H8802)} with a loud{H1419} voice{H6963}, and all the people{H5971} passed over{H5674}{(H8802)}: the king{H4428} also himself passed over{H5674}{(H8802)} the brook{H5158} Kidron{H6939}, and all the people{H5971} passed over{H5674}{(H8802)}, toward{H6440} the way{H1870} of the wilderness{H4057}.

24 And lo Zadok{H6659} also, and all the Levites{H3881} were with him, bearing{H5375}{(H8802)} the ark{H727} of the covenant{H1285} of God{H430}: and they set down{H3332}{(H8686)} the ark{H727} of God{H430}; and Abiathar{H54} went up{H5927}{(H8799)}, until all the people{H5971} had done{H8552}{(H8800)} passing{H5674}{(H8800)} out of the city{H5892}.

25 And the king{H4428} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Zadok{H6659}, Carry back{H7725}{(H8685)} the ark{H727} of God{H430} into the city{H5892}: if I shall find{H4672}{(H8799)} favour{H2580} in the eyes{H5869} of the LORD{H3068}, he will bring me again{H7725}{(H8689)}, and shew{H7200}{(H8689)} me both it, and his habitation{H5116}:

26 But if he thus say{H559}{(H8799)}, I have no delight{H2654}{(H8804)} in thee; behold, here am I, let him do{H6213}{(H8799)} to me as seemeth{H5869} good{H2896} unto him.

27 The king{H4428} said{H559}{(H8799)} also unto Zadok{H6659} the priest{H3548}, Art not thou a seer{H7200}{(H8802)}? return{H7725}{(H8798)} into the city{H5892} in peace{H7965}, and your two{H8147} sons{H1121} with you, Ahimaaz{H290} thy son{H1121}, and Jonathan{H3083} the son{H1121} of Abiathar{H54}.

28 See{H7200}{(H8798)}, I will tarry{H4102}{(H8700)} in the plain{H6160}{(H8675)}{H5679} of the wilderness{H4057}, until there come{H935}{(H8800)} word{H1697} from you to certify{H5046}{(H8687)} me.

29 Zadok{H6659} therefore and Abiathar{H54} carried{H7725} the ark{H727} of God{H430} again{H7725}{(H8686)} to Jerusalem{H3389}: and they tarried{H3427}{(H8799)} there.

30 And David{H1732} went up{H5927}{(H8802)} by the ascent{H4608} of mount Olivet{H2132}, and wept{H1058}{(H8802)} as he went up{H5927}{(H8802)}, and had his head{H7218} covered{H2645}{(H8802)}, and he went{H1980}{(H8802)} barefoot{H3182}: and all the people{H5971} that was with him covered{H2645}{(H8804)} every man{H376} his head{H7218}, and they went up{H5927}{(H8804)}, weeping{H1058}{(H8800)} as they went up{H5927}{(H8800)}.

31 And one told{H5046}{(H8689)} David{H1732}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Ahithophel{H302} is among the conspirators{H7194}{(H8802)} with Absalom{H53}. And David{H1732} said{H559}{(H8799)}, O LORD{H3068}, I pray thee, turn the counsel{H6098} of Ahithophel{H302} into foolishness{H5528}{(H8761)}.

32 And it came to pass, that when David{H1732} was come{H935}{(H8804)} to the top{H7218} of the mount, where he worshipped{H7812}{(H8691)} God{H430}, behold, Hushai{H2365} the Archite{H757} came to meet{H7125}{(H8800)} him with his coat{H3801} rent{H7167}{(H8803)}, and earth{H127} upon his head{H7218}:

33 Unto whom David{H1732} said{H559}{(H8799)}, If thou passest on{H5674}{(H8804)} with me, then thou shalt be a burden{H4853} unto me:

34 But if thou return{H7725}{(H8799)} to the city{H5892}, and say{H559}{(H8804)} unto Absalom{H53}, I will be thy servant{H5650}, O king{H4428}; as I have been thy father's{H1} servant{H5650} hitherto{H227}, so will I now also be thy servant{H5650}: then mayest thou for me defeat{H6565}{(H8689)} the counsel{H6098} of Ahithophel{H302}.

35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok{H6659} and Abiathar{H54} the priests{H3548}? therefore it shall be, that what thing{H1697} soever thou shalt hear{H8085}{(H8799)} out of the king's{H4428} house{H1004}, thou shalt tell{H5046}{(H8686)} it to Zadok{H6659} and Abiathar{H54} the priests{H3548}.

36 Behold, they have there with them their two{H8147} sons{H1121}, Ahimaaz{H290} Zadok's{H6659} son, and Jonathan{H3083} Abiathar's{H54} son; and by them{H3027} ye shall send{H7971}{(H8804)} unto me every thing{H1697} that ye can hear{H8085}{(H8799)}.

37 So Hushai{H2365} David's{H1732} friend{H7463} came{H935}{(H8799)} into the city{H5892}, and Absalom{H53} came{H935}{(H8799)} into Jerusalem{H3389}.