Absalom’s Treason

15 After this ait happened that Absalom bprovided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a clawsuit 1came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your 2case is good and right; but there is no 3deputy of the king to hear you.” 4 Moreover Absalom would say, d“Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.” 5 And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and ekiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. fSo Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 Now it came to pass gafter 4forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please, let me go to hHebron and pay the vow which I made to the Lord. 8 iFor your servant jtook a vow kwhile I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the Lord indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’ ”

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

10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom lreigns in Hebron!’ ” 11 And with Absalom went two hundred men minvited from Jerusalem, and they nwent along innocently and did not know anything. 12 Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, oDavid’s counselor, from his city—from pGiloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom qcontinually increased in number.