2 Samuel 15:1–10

Absalom’s Conspiracy

¹Now it came about after this that ^aAbsalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him.

²Absalom 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.”

³Then Absalom would say to him, “See, ^ayour ¹claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.”

⁴Moreover, 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.”

⁵And when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and ^akiss him.

⁶In 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.

⁷Now 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.’ ”

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

¹⁰But 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.’ ”