The Second Book of Samuel

2Sa 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Ab´-sa-lom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2Sa 15:2 And Ab´-sa-lom 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 Ab´-sa-lom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

2Sa 15:3 And Ab´-sa-lom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

2Sa 15:4 Ab´-sa-lom 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!

2Sa 15:5 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.

2Sa 15:6 And on this manner did Ab´-salom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Ab´-sa-lom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

2Sa 15:7 And it came to pass after four years, that Ab´-sa-lom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in He´-bron.

2Sa 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Ge´-shur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.

2Sa 15:9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to He´-bron.

2Sa 15:10 But Ab´-sa-lom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Ab´sa-lom reigneth in He´-bron.

2Sa 15:11 And with Ab´-sa-lom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

2Sa 15:12 And Ab´-sa-lom sent for A-hith´o-phel the Gi´-lo-nite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Gi´-loh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Ab´-sa-lom.

2Sa 15:13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Ab´-sa-lom.

2Sa 15:14 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 Ab´-sa-lom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

2Sa 15:15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

2Sa 15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

2Sa 15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

2Sa 15:18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cher´-e-thites, and all the Pel´-e-thites, and all the Git´-tites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

2Sa 15:19 Then said the king to It´-tai the Git´-tite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.

2Sa 15:20 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.

2Sa 15:21 And It´-tai 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.

2Sa 15:22 And David said to It´-tai, Go and pass over. And It´-tai the Git´-tite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

2Sa 15:23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kid´-ron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

2Sa 15:24 And lo Za´-dok 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 A-bi´-athar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

2Sa 15:25 And the king said unto Za´-dok, 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:

2Sa 15:26 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.

2Sa 15:27 The king said also unto Za´-dok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, A-him´-a-az thy son, and Jonathan the son of A-bi´-a-thar.

2Sa 15:28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

2Sa 15:29 Za´-dok therefore and A-bi´-athar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

2Sa 15:30 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.

2Sa 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahith´-o-phel is among the conspirators with Ab´-sa-lom. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of A-hith´-o-phel into foolishness.

2Sa 15:32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hu´-shai the Ar´-chite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

2Sa 15:33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

2Sa 15:34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Ab´-sa-lom, 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 A-hith´-ophel.

2Sa 15:35 And hast thou not there with thee Za´-dok and A-bi´-a-thar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Za´-dok and A-bi´-a-thar the priests.

2Sa 15:36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, A-him´-a-az Za´dok’s son, and Jonathan A-bi´-a-thar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.

2Sa 15:37 So Hu´-shai David’s friend came into the city, and Ab´-sa-lom came into Jerusalem.