2 Samuel 15

1 And it came to pass after this, that Avshalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

2 And Avshalom 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 Avshalom called unto him, and said, “Of what city are you?” And he said, “Your servant is of one of the tribes of Yisrael.”

3 And Avshalom said unto him, “See, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear you.”

4 Avshalom said moreover, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who 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 near to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

6 And on this manner did Avshalom to all Yisrael that came to the king for judgment; so Avshalom stole the hearts of the men of Yisrael.

7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Avshalom said unto the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto יהוה, in Hebron.

8 For your servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria (Aram), saying, ‘If יהוה shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), then I will serve יהוה.’”

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

10 But Avshalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Yisrael, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the shofar, then you shall say, ‘Avshalom reigneth in Hebron!’”

11 And with Avshalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

12 And Avshalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, Dawid’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Avshalom.

13 And there came a messenger to Dawid, saying, “The hearts of the men of Yisrael are after Avshalom.”

14 And Dawid said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), “Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Avshalom; 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, your servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord (adoni) 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, “Why goest you also with us? Return to your place, and abide with the king; for you are a stranger, and also an exile.

20 Whereas you camest but yesterday, should I this day make you go up and down with us? Seeing I go whither I may, return you, and take back your brethren; mercy and truth be with you.”

21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, “As יהוה liveth, and as my lord (adoni) the king liveth, surely in what place my lord (adoni) the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will your servant be.”

22 And Dawid 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 behold Zadok also, and all the Levites (Lewiyim) were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God (Elohim); and they set down the ark of God (Elohim); and Aviyahthar 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 (Elohim) into the city; if I shall find favor in the eyes of יהוה, He will bring me again, and shew me both it, and His habitation.

26 But if He thus say, ‘I have no delight in you;’ behold, here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him.”

27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest (kohen), “Art not you a seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan (Yehonatan) the son of Aviyahthar.

28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.”

29 Zadok therefore and Aviyahthar carried the ark of God (Elohim) again to Jerusalem (Yerushalayim); and they tarried there.

30 And Dawid 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 Dawid, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Avshalom.” And Dawid said, “O יהוה, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

32 And it came to pass, that when Dawid was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God (Elohim), behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head.

33 Unto whom Dawid said, “If you passest on with me, then you shalt be a burden unto me.

34 But if you return to the city, and say unto Avshalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be your servant,’ then mayest you for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

35 And have you not there with you Zadok and Aviyahthar the priests (kohanim)? Therefore it shall be, that what thing soever you shalt hear out of the king’s house, you shalt tell it to Zadok and Aviyahthar the priests (kohanim).

36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan (Yehonatan) Aviyah-thar’s son; and by them you shall send unto me every thing that you can hear.”

37 So Hushai Dawid’s friend came into the city, and Avshalom came into Jerusalem (Yerushalayim).