2 Samuel 15:1–13
1 Now it came about after this that aAbsalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him.
2 Absalom used to rise early and astand beside the way to the gate; and when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”
3 Then Absalom would say to him, “See, ayour 1claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.”
4 Moreover, Absalom would say, “aOh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.”
5 And when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and akiss him.
6 In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; aso Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 Now it came about at the end of 1forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed to the Lord, in aHebron.
8 “For your servant avowed a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘bIf the Lord shall indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’ ”
9 The king said to 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 you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘aAbsalom is king in Hebron.’ ”
11 Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, awho were invited and bwent 1innocently, and they did not know anything.
12 And Absalom sent for aAhithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city bGiloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for cthe people increased continually with Absalom.
13 Then a messenger came to David, saying, “aThe hearts of the men of Israel are 1with Absalom.”