2 Samuel 15:1-9 ▼

1 Some time later Absalom managed to acquire a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard.

2 Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint to bring to the king for arbitration, Absalom would call out to him, |What city are you from?| The person would answer, |I, your servant, am from one of the tribes of Israel.|

3 Absalom would then say to him, |Look, your claims are legitimate and appropriate. But there is no representative of the king who will listen to you.|

4 Absalom would then say, |If only they would make me a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.|

5 When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him.

6 Absalom acted this way toward everyone in Israel who came to the king for justice. In this way Absalom won the loyalty of the citizens of Israel.

7 After four years Absalom said to the king, |Let me go and repay my vow that I made to the LORD while I was in Hebron.

8 For I made this vow when I was living in Geshur in Aram: 'If the LORD really does allow me to return to Jerusalem, I will serve the LORD.'|

9 The king replied to him, |Go in peace.| So Absalom got up and went to Hebron.