1 After this ait happened that Absalom bprovided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a alawsuit came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.”
3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your1 case is good and right; but thereis no2 deputy of the king to hear you.”
4 Moreover Absalom would say, a“Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.”
5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and akiss him.
6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. aSo Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 Now it came to pass aafter forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please, let me go to bHebron and pay the vow which I made to the Lord.
8aFor your servant btook a vow cwhile I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the Lord indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’ ”
9 And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.
10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom areigns in Hebron!’ ”
11 And with Absalom went two hundred men ainvited from Jerusalem, and they bwent along innocently and did not know anything.
12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, aDavid’s counselor, from his city—from bGiloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom ccontinually increased in number.
David Escapes from Jerusalem
13 Now a messenger came to David, saying, a“The hearts of the men of Israel are1 with Absalom.”
14 So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us aflee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
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