2Samuel:15:13-37

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* And there came a news –bearer to David , saying , the heart of the men of Israel is turned after Abshalom . * And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem , Arise , and let us flee ; for there will not be any escape for us from Abshalom : make haste , to depart , lest he make haste and overtake us suddenly and overwhelm us with evil , and smite the city with the edge of the sword . * And the king ’s servants said unto the king , In accordance with all that my Lord the king may choose , are thy servants ready . * And the king went forth , and all his household in his train . And the king left behind ten women , who were concubines , to guard the house . * And the king went forth , and all the people in his train , and tarried in a place that was far off . * And all his servants passed on alongside of him , and all the Kerethites , and all the Pelethites ; and all the Gittites , six hundred men , who were come in his train from Gath , passed on before the king . * Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite , Wherefore wilt thou also go with us ? turn back and abide with the king ; for thou art a stranger , and also an exile from thy place . * Yesterday thou camest ; and today should I move thee about with us to wander ? seeing that I go whither I may : return thou , and take back thy brethren with thee , in kindness and truth . * And Ittai answered the king , and said , As the Lord liveth , and as my Lord the king liveth , surely in whatever place my Lord the king may be , whether for death or for life , even there will thy servant be . * And David said then to Ittai , Go and pass on . And Ittai the Gittite passed on , and all his men , and all the little ones that were with him . * And all the country wept with a loud voice , as all the people passed on : and the king passed over the brook Kidron , and all the people passed over , along the way to the wilderness . * And lo , Zadok also , and all the Levites with him , were bearing the ark of the covenant of God ; and they set down the ark of God ; and Ebyathar went up , until all the people had finished passing out of the city . * And the king said unto 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 back again , and show me both it , and his dwelling ; * But if he should thus say , I have no delight in thee : here am I , let him do to me as seemeth good in his eyes . * The king said also unto Zadok the priest , If thou see the justice of this , return to the city in peace : and your two sons , Achima ’az thy son , and Jonathan the son of Ebyathar , are with you . * See , I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness , until there come word from you to bring me news . * Zadok therefore and Ebyathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem : and they remained there . * And David went up by the ascent of the mount of Olives , weeping as he went up , and had his head covered , and he was walking barefoot : and all the people that were with him covered every man his head , and they went up , weeping as they went up . * And some one told David , saying , Achithophel is among the conspirators with Abshalom . And David said , I pray thee , turn into foolishness the counsel of Achithophel , O Lord ! * And it came to pass , that , when David was come to the top , where he used to bow himself down to God , behold , Chushai the Arkite came to meet him with his coat rent , and earth upon his head . * And David said unto him , If thou passest on with me , thou wouldst be a burden unto me ; * But if thou shouldst return to the city , and say unto Abshalom , Thy servant will I be , O king ; thy father ’s servant have I been this long time past , and now will I also be thy servant : then mightest thou defeat for me the counsel of Achithophel . * And , behold , thou hast with thee there Zadok and Ebyathar the priests ; therefore shall it be , that what thing soever thou mayest hear out of the king ’s house , shalt thou tell to Zadok and Ebyathar the priests . * Behold , they have there with them their two sons . Achima ’az for Zadok , and Jonathan for Ebyathar : and ye shall send by means of them unto me whatever thing ye can hear . * So Chushai , David ’s friend , came into the city , as Abshalom had just resolved to enter into Jerusalem .

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