2 Samuel 15:1-21 ▼

1 AND after this, Absalom prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

2 And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the king's gate; and it was so that when any man had a case to be tried before the king, then Absalom called him to him, and said, Of what city are you? And he said, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

3 And Absalom said to him, I see your arguments are good and just; but there is no man deputed by the king to hear you.

4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made a judge in the land, that every man who has a lawsuit or a cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!

5 And whenever a man arose to do him obeisance, he held him by his hand and kissed him.

6 And in this manner did Absalom to all the Israelites who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 And it came to pass after four years Absalom said to the king, Let me go and fulfil my vow which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron;

8 For your servant made a vow while I abode at Geshur and in Aram, saying. If the LORD will bring me again indeed 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 But 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 reigns in Hebron.

11 And with Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem, but they went innocently, not knowing anything of the plot.

12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, and brought him from his city, from Giloh, while he was offering sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong; and the people increased continually on the side of Absalom.

13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.

14 And David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, Arise and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom; make haste 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 to the king, Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king wants to do.

16 So the king went forth and all his household after him. And the king left ten women who were concubines to keep his house.

17 And the king went forth and all the people after him, and they halted in a place at a distance from the city.

18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all his noblemen and all his army and all the Gittites who had followed him from Gath passed on before the king.

19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Why do you also go with us? Depart from the king; for you are a stranger, and also you were brought captive from your country.

20 You came but yesterday, and shall I trouble you today to go with us, seeing I go wherever I may? Return, and make your brethren to settle down; it will be well with you.

21 But Ittai answered the king and said, As the LORD lives and as the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there will your servant be also.