2 Samuel 15:1-26 ▼

1 And it came to pass after this that Absalom prepared for himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before his face.

2 And Absalom would rise early and stand by the side of the way of the gate. And it came to pass, when every man who had a grievance came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “From which city are you?” And he would say, “From one of the tribes of Israel is your servant.”

3 And Absalom would say to him, “Look, your case is good and right, and there is none from the king to hear you.”

4 And Absalom would say, “Who will make me judge in the land, and to me would come every man who has to him a grievance or dispute, and I would give him justice!”

5 And it came to pass whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.

6 And Absalom acted in this manner toward all Israel who came for judgment to the king. And Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 And it came to pass after four years that Absalom said to the king, “Let me go, please, and pay the vow that I made to YHWH in Hebron.

8 For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If YHWH does surely bring me back to Jerusalem, I will serve YHWH in Hebron.’”

9 And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” And he arose and went to Hebron.

10 And Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you? hear the voice of the shofar, you? shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron.’”

11 And with Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem, who were called, and they went along in their blamelessness, and did not know the whole matter.

12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, counselor of David, from his city, from Giloh, while he offered the sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people continually increased in number with Absalom.

13 And a messenger came 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, or we there will not be an escape from Absalom. Hurry to depart, lest he hurry and overtake us and swing upon us a disaster and strike the city with the mouth of the sword.”

15 And the servants of the king said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king chooses—behold, your servants.”

16 And the king went out, and all his household at his feet, and the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house.

17 And the king went out, and all the people after him, and they stood at the last house.

18 And all his servants passed over before his hand, and all the Cherethite, and all the Pelethite, and all the Gittite—six hundred men who had followed at his foot from Gath passed over before the face of the king.

19 And the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why are you also going with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner, and also you are an exile from your own place.

20 Only yesterday you arrived, and today should I make you wander up and down with us, since I go on where I know not? Turn back and take back your brothers with you.” May the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness.

21 And Ittai answered the king and said, “As YHWH lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely if in whatever place where my lord the king shall be there, whether in death or in life, even there also your servant will 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 children who were with him.

23 And all the country wept in a loud voice, and all the people passed over, and the king himself also passed over the Kidron Valley, and all the people passed over, by the face of the way of the wilderness,

24 and behold, also Zadok and all the Levites 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 finished passing over from the city.

25 And the king said to Zadok, “Carry back the ark of God into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of YHWH, He will bring me back and show me it and His dwelling place.

26 But if thus He says, ‘I have not delighted in you,’ behold, it is I. Let Him do to me as is good in His eyes.”