10:015:001 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him
chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
10:015:002 And Absalom rose up 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 unto him,
and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is
of one of the tribes of Israel.
10:015:003 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and
right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
10:015:004 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land,
that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto
me, and I would do him justice!
10:015:005 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.
10:015:006 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the
king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of
Israel.
10:015:007 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto
the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have
vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.
10:015:008 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.
10:015:009 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went
to Hebron.
10:015:010 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.
10:015:011 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that
were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew
not any thing.
10:015:012 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's
counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered
sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people
increased continually with Absalom.
10:015:013 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the
men of Israel are after Absalom.
10:015:014 And David said unto 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 overtake us
suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the
edge of the sword.
10:015:015 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy
servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall
appoint.
10:015:016 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And
the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the
house.
10:015:017 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and
tarried in a place that was far off.
10:015:018 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the
Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six
hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before
the king.
10:015:019 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou
also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king:
for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
10:015:020 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.
10:015:021 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.
10:015:022 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.
10:015:023 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.
10:015:024 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.
10:015:025 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into
the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he
will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
10:015:026 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am
I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
10:015:027 The king said also unto 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.
10:015:028 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there
come word from you to certify me.
10:015:029 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to
Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
10:015:030 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, 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.
10:015:031 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.
10:015:032 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of
the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite
came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
10:015:033 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou
shalt be a burden unto me:
10:015:034 But if thou return to the city, and say unto 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.
10:015:035 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the
priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou
shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to
Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
10:015:036 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz
Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall
send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
10:015:037 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came
into Jerusalem.