Chapter 15 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and
horses, and fifty men to run before him.
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.
And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right,
but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
Absalom said moreover, O 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And the king said unto him, Go in peace.
So he arose, and went to Hebron.
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.
And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem that were called.
And they went in their simplicity, and they knew not anything.
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his
city, even from Gilo, while he offered sacrifices.
And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with
Absalom.
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel
are after Absalom.
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.
And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do
whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
And the king went forth, and all his household after him.
And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place
that was far off.
And all his servants passed on beside him.
And all the Carathites, and all the Pelathites, and all the Gittites,
six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
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 in exile.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 show me
both it and his habitation.
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.
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, Ahimeas thy
son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you
to certify me.
Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem,
and they tarried there.
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.
And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.
O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me.
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 mayst thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
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.
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 everything that ye can hear.
So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.