2Samuel:15

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* And it came to pass after this , that Absalom prepared himself 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 you ? And he said , Your slave is of one of the tribes of Israel . * And Absalom said to him , See , your matters are good and right ; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear you . * Absalom said moreover , Oh that I were made judge in the land , that every man who has any suit or 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 hold of him , and kissed him . * And on this manner Absalom did to all Israel that 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 four years , that Absalom said to the king , I pray you , let me go and pay my vow , which I have vowed to Yahweh , in Hebron . * For your slave vowed a vow while I remained at Geshur in Syria , saying , If Yahweh will indeed bring me again to Jerusalem , then I will serve Yahweh . * 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 you (note :){+}(:note ) hear the sound of the trumpet , then you {+} will 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 didn 't 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 slaves who were with him at Jerusalem , Arise , and let us flee ; for else none of us will escape from Absalom : make speed to depart , or else he will overtake us quickly , and bring down evil on us , and strike the city with the edge of the sword . * And the king 's slaves said to the king , Look , your slaves are ready to do whatever my lord the king will 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 tarried in Beth-merhak . * And all his slaves 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 you also go with us ? Return , and remain with the king : for you are a foreigner , and also an exile ; [return ] to your own place . * Whereas you came but yesterday , should I this day make you go up and down with us , seeing I go where I may ? Return , and take back your brothers with you ; and may Yahweh show you mercy and truth . * And Ittai answered the king , and said , As Yahweh lives , and as my lord the king lives , surely in what place my lord the king will be , whether to death or to life , even there also will your slave 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 who 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 brook Kidron , and all the people passed over , toward the way of the wilderness . * And , look , 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 will find favor in the eyes of Yahweh , he will bring me again , and show me both it , and his habitation : * but if he says thus , I have no delight in you ; look , here I am , let him do to me as is good in his eyes . * The king said also to Zadok the priest , Do you see ? Return into the city in peace , and your (note :){+}(:note ) two sons with you {+}, Ahimaaz your son , and Jonathan the son of Abiathar . * See , I will tarry at the fords of the wilderness , until there comes word from you (note :){+}(:note ) to inform me . * Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem : and they remained 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 went up . * And one told David , saying , Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom . And David said , O Yahweh , I pray you , 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 worshiped , look , Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent , and earth on his head . * And David said to him , If you pass on with me , then you will be a burden to me : * but if you return to the city , and say to Absalom , I will be your slave , O king ; as I have been your father 's slave in time past , so I will now be your slave ; then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel . * And don 't you have there with you Zadok and Abiathar the priests ? Therefore it will be , that whatever thing you will hear out of the king 's house , you will tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests . * Look , they have there with them their two sons , Ahimaaz , Zadok 's son , and Jonathan , Abiathar 's son ; and by them you (note :){+}(:note ) will send to me everything that you {+} will hear . * So Hushai , David 's friend , came into the city ; and Absalom came into Jerusalem .

---