Bible, King James Version
2_Samuel
2Sam.15
[1] And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared
him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
[2] 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.
[3] And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good
and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear
thee.
[4] 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!
[5] 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.
[6] 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.
[7] 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.
[8] 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.
[9] And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose,
and went to Hebron.
[10] 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.
[11] 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.
[12] And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's
counseller, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered
sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people
increased continually with Absalom.
[13] And there came a messenger to David, saying, The
hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
[14] 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.
[15] And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold,
thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall
appoint.
[16] And the king went forth, and all his household after
him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep
the house.
[17] And the king went forth, and all the people after
him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
[18] 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.
[19] 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.
[20] 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.
[21] 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.
[22] 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.
[23] 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.
[24] 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.
[25] 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:
[26] 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.
[27] 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.
[28] See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness,
until there come word from you to certify me.
[29] Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God
again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
[30] 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.
[31] 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.
[32] 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:
[33] Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me,
then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
[34] 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.
[35] 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.
[36] 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.
[37] So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and
Absalom came into Jerusalem.
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