2Samuel:15

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* And it came to pass after this , that Absalom prepared for himself chariots and horses , and fifty men to run before him . * And Absalom rose early , and stood beside the way of the gate ; and it was so , that when any man who had a controversy had to come to the king for judgment , then Absalom called him , and said , Of what city art thou ? And he said , Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel . * And Absalom said to him , See , thy matters are good and right ; but there is no man to hear thee [appointed ] by the king . * And Absalom said , Oh that I were made judge in the land , that every man who has any controversy and cause might come to me , and I would do him justice ! * And it was so , that when any man came near to do him obeisance , he put forth his hand , and took him , and kissed him . * And in this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment ; and 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 in Hebron my vow which I have vowed to Jehovah . * For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode in Geshur in Syria , saying , If Jehovah shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem , then I will serve Jehovah . * And the king said to him , Go in peace . And he rose up and went to Hebron . * And Absalom sent emissaries into all the tribes of Israel , saying , When ye hear the sound of the trumpet , ye shall say , Absalom reigns in Hebron . * And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem , that were invited ; and they went in their simplicity , and they knew nothing . * And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite , David 's counsellor , from his city , from Giloh , while he offered the sacrifices . And the conspiracy gathered strength ; and the people increased continually with Absalom . * And there came one to David who reported saying , The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom . * And David said to all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem , Rise up and let us flee ; for we shall not [else ] escape from Absalom . Be quick to depart , lest he overtake us quickly , and bring evil upon us , and smite the city with the edge of the sword . * And the king 's servants said to the king , Behold , thy servants [will 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 , concubines , to keep the house . * And the king went forth , and all the people after him , and stayed at the remote house . * And all his servants passed on beside him ; and all the Cherethites , and all the Pelethites , and all the Gittites , six hundred men that came after him from Gath , passed over before the king . * And the king said to Ittai the Gittite , Why dost thou also go with us ? return to thy place , and abide with the king ; for thou art a foreigner , and besides , thou hast emigrated to the place where thou [dwellest ]. * Thou didst come yesterday , and should I this day make thee go up and down with us , seeing I go whither I can ? Return and take back thy brethren . Mercy and truth be with thee ! * And Ittai answered the king and said , [As ] Jehovah 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 . * 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 also himself passed over the torrent Kidron , and all the people passed over , towards the way of the wilderness . * And behold , Zadok also , 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 passed completely out of the city . * And the king said to Zadok , Carry back the ark of God into the city . If I shall find favour in the eyes of Jehovah , he will bring me again , and shew me it , and its habitation . * But if he thus say , I have no delight in thee ; behold , [here am ] I , let him do to me as seemeth good to him . * And the king said to Zadok the priest , Thou art the 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 stop in the plains of the desert , until there come word from you to inform me . * And Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem ; and they abode there . * But David went up by the ascent of the Olives , and wept as he went up , and had his head covered , and he went barefoot ; and all the people that was with him covered every man his head , and they went up , weeping as they went up . * And one told David saying , Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom . Then said David , Jehovah , I pray thee , turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness . * And it came to pass , when David had come to the summit , where he worshipped God , that behold , Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent , and earth upon his head . * And David said to him , If thou passest on with me , thou wilt 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 hitherto , so now will I be thy servant ; then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel . * And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests ? and it shall be , [that ] whatsoever thing thou shalt hear out of the king 's house , thou shalt 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 . * And Hushai David 's friend came into the city , and Absalom came into Jerusalem .

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