2Samuel:15

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* And it came to pass after this , that Absalom prepared for him a chariot and horses , and fifty men to run before him . * And Absalom rose up early , and stood beside the way of the gate . And it was so , that , when any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment , then Absalom called to him , and said , Of what city are thou ? And he said , Thy * And Absalom said to him , See , thy matters are good and right , but there is no man appointed by the king to hear thee . * Absalom said moreover , Oh that I were made judge in the land , that every man who has any suit or case might come to me , and I would do for him justice ! * And it was so , that , when any man came near to do him obeisance , he put forth his hand , and took hold of him , and kissed him . * And on this manner Absalom did to all Israel who came to the king for judgment . So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel . * And it came to pass at the end of forty years , that Absalom said to the king , I pray thee , let me go and pay my vow , which I have vowed to LORD , in Hebron . * For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria , saying , If LORD shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem , then I will serve LORD . * And the king said to him , Go in peace . So he arose , and went to Hebron . * 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 is king in Hebron . * And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem who were invited , and went in their simplicity . And they did not know anything . * And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite , David 's counselor , from his city , even from Giloh , while he was offering the sacrifices . And the conspiracy was strong , for the people increased continually with Absalom . * And there came a messenger to David , saying , The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom . * And David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem , Arise , and let us flee , for otherwise none of us shall escape from Absalom . Make speed to depart , lest he overtake us quickly , and bring down evil upon us , and smit * And the king 's servants said to the king , Behold , thy servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king shall choose . * And the king went forth , and all his household after him . And the king left ten women , who were concubines , to keep the house . * And the king went forth , and all the people after him , and they remained in Beth-merhak . * And all his servants passed on beside him ; 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 . * Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite , Why do thou also go with us ? Return , and abide with the king , for thou are a foreigner , and also an exile . [Return ] to thine own place . * Whereas thou came but yesterday , should I this day make thee go up and down with us , seeing I go where I may ? Return thou , and take back thy brothers . Mercy and truth be with thee . * And Ittai answered the king , and said , As LORD lives , and as my lord the king lives , surely in what place my lord the king shall be , whether for death or for life , even there thy servant will also be . * 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 . * And all the country wept with a loud voice , and all the people passed over . The king himself also passed over the brook Kidron , and all the people passed over toward the way of the wilderness . * And , lo , Zadok also [came ], and all the Levites 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 finished passing out of the city . * And the king said to Zadok , Carry back the ark of God into the city . If I shall find favor in the eyes of LORD he will bring me again , and show me both it , and his habitation . * But if he says thus , I have no delight in thee , behold , here I am . Let him do to me as seems good to him . * The king said also to Zadok the priest , Are thou [not ] a seer ? Return into the city in peace , and your two sons with you , Ahimaaz thy son , and Jonathan the son of Abiathar . * See , I will remain at the fords of the wilderness until there comes word from you to report to me . * Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem , and they abode there . * And David went up by the ascent of the [mount of ] Olives , and wept as he went up , and he had his head covered , and went barefoot . And all the people who were with him covered every man his head , and they went up , weeping as they we * And it was 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 . * And it came to pass , that , when David came to the top [of the ascent ], where God was worshipped , behold , Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat torn , and dirt upon his head . * And David said to him , If thou pass on with me , then thou will be a burden to me , * but if thou return to the city , and say to Absalom , I will be thy servant , O king . As I have been thy father 's servant in time past , so I will now be thy servant , then thou will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel . * And have thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests ? Therefore it shall be , that whatever thing thou shall hear out of the king 's house , thou shall tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests . * 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 everything that ye shall hear . * So Hushai , David 's friend , came into the city , and Absalom came into Jerusalem .

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