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2 Samuel 15
- 1
- And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared
him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
- 2
- And Absalom 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 Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art
thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
- 3
- And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and
right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
- 4
- Absalom 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!
- 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.
- 6
- And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came
to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
- 7
- And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said
unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto
the LORD, in Hebron.
- 8
- For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in
Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I
will serve the LORD.
- 9
- And the king said unto 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 ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall
say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
- 11
- And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem,
that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any
thing.
- 12
- And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's
counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And
the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
- 13
- And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts
of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
- 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
Absalom: make speed 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 unto the king, Behold, thy
servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
- 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.
- 17
- And the king went forth, and all the people after him,
and tarried in a place that was far off.
- 18
- And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the
Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men
which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
- 19
- Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest
thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art
a stranger, and also an exile.
- 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.
- 21
- And Ittai 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.
- 22
- And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the
Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with
him.
- 23
- And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the
people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and
all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
- 24
- And lo Zadok 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
Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
- 25
- And the king said unto Zadok, 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:
- 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.
- 27
- The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a
seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy
son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
- 28
- See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until
there come word from you to certify me.
- 29
- Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God
again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
- 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.
- 31
- And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the
conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the
counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
- 32
- And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top
of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet
him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
- 33
- Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then
thou shalt be a burden unto me:
- 34
- But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, 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
Ahithophel.
- 35
- And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the
priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of
the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
- 36
- Behold, they have there with them their two sons,
Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send
unto me every thing that ye can hear.
- 37
- So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom
came into Jerusalem.
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