15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him
chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
15:2 And Absalom rose 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 to him, and
said, Of what city [art] thou? And he said, Thy servant [is]
one of the tribes of Israel.
15:3 And Absalom said to him, See, thy matters [are] good and
right; but [there is] no man [deputed] by the king to hear
thee.
15:4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the
land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come to
me, and I would do him justice!
15:5 And it was [so], that when any man came nigh [to him] to do
him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed
him.
15:6 And in this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to
the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men
of Israel.
15:7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said to
the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have
vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.
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.
15:9 And the king said to him, Go in peace, So he arose, and
went to Hebron.
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.
15:11 And with Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem,
[that were] called; and they went in their simplicity, and they
knew not any thing.
15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's
counselor, from his city, [even] from Giloh, while he offered
sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people
increased continually with Absalom.
15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of
the men of Israel are after Absalom.
15:14 And David said to 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 should
overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the
city with the edge of the sword.
15:15 And the king's servants said to the king, Behold, thy
servants [are ready to do] whatever my lord the king shall
appoint.
15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him.
And the king left ten women [who were] concubines to keep the
house.
15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and
tarried in a place that was far off.
15:18 And all his servants passed on by his side; and all the
Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six
hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the
king.
15:19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Why goest thou
also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king; for
thou [art] a stranger, and also an exile.
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.
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.
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.
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, towards the way of the
wilderness.
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.
15:25 And the king said to Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into
the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he
will bring me again, and show me [both] it, and his habitation:
15:26 But if he shall thus say, I have no delight in thee;
behold, [here am] I, let him do to me as seemeth good to him.
15:27 The king said also to 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.
15:28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until
word shall come from you to certify me.
15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again
to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
15:30 And David went up by the ascent of [mount] Olivet, and
wept as he went, and had his head covered, and he went
barefoot: and all the people that [were] with him covered every
man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went.
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.
15:32 And it came to pass, that [when] David had come to the top
[of the mount], where he worshiped God, behold, Hushai the
Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his
head;
15:33 To whom David said, If thou shalt pass on with me, then
thou wilt be a burden to me:
15:34 But if thou shalt return to the city, and say to 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.
15:35 And [hast thou] not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the
priests? therefore it shall be, [that] whatever thing thou
shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell [it] to
Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
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 to me every thing that ye can hear.
15:37 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom
came into Jerusalem.
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