1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight.

2 I will come upon him while he is ^aweary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will ^bstrike only the king.  ‡

3 Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace.”