2 Samuel 15 : 1 (ERVEN)
After this, Absalom got a chariot and horses for himself. He had 50 men run in front of him while he drove the chariot.
2 Samuel 15 : 2 (ERVEN)
Absalom would get up early and stand near the gate. He would watch for anyone with problems who was going to King David for judgment. Then Absalom would talk to them and say, "What city are you from?" They would say they were from such and such tribe in Israel.
2 Samuel 15 : 3 (ERVEN)
Then Absalom would say, "Look, you are right, but King David will not listen to you."
2 Samuel 15 : 4 (ERVEN)
Absalom would also say, "Oh, I wish someone would make me a judge in this country! Then I could help everyone who comes to me with a problem. I would help them get a fair solution to their problem."
2 Samuel 15 : 5 (ERVEN)
And if anyone came to Absalom and started to bow down to him, Absalom would treat him like a close friend�he would reach out and touch him and kiss him.
2 Samuel 15 : 6 (ERVEN)
Absalom did that to all the Israelites who came to King David for judgment. In this way Absalom won the hearts of all the people of Israel.
2 Samuel 15 : 7 (ERVEN)
After four years, Absalom said to King David, "Please let me go to Hebron to complete a special promise that I made to the Lord.
2 Samuel 15 : 8 (ERVEN)
I made that promise while I was still living in Geshur in Aram. I said, 'If the Lord brings me back to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord in a special way.'"
2 Samuel 15 : 9 (ERVEN)
King David said, "Go in peace." Absalom went to Hebron.
2 Samuel 15 : 10 (ERVEN)
But he also sent spies to all the tribes of Israel. They told the people, "When you hear the trumpet, say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron!'"
2 Samuel 15 : 11 (ERVEN)
Absalom invited 200 men to go with him. They left Jerusalem with him, but they did not know what he was planning.
2 Samuel 15 : 12 (ERVEN)
Ahithophel was one of David's advisors. He was from the town of Giloh. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he invited Ahithophel to join. Absalom's plans were working very well and more and more people began to support him.
2 Samuel 15 : 13 (ERVEN)
A man came in to tell the news to David. The man said, "The people of Israel are beginning to follow Absalom."
2 Samuel 15 : 14 (ERVEN)
Then David said to all of his officers who were still in Jerusalem with him, "Come on, we cannot let him trap us here in Jerusalem. Hurry up, before he catches us. He will destroy us all, and Jerusalem will be destroyed in the battle."
2 Samuel 15 : 15 (ERVEN)
The king's officers told him, "We will do whatever you tell us."
2 Samuel 15 : 16 (ERVEN)
King David left with everyone in his family, except ten of his slave women. He left them to take care of the house.
2 Samuel 15 : 17 (ERVEN)
The king left with everyone in his house following him on foot. They stopped at the last house.
2 Samuel 15 : 18 (ERVEN)
All of his officers passed by the king. And all of the Kerethites, all of the Pelethites, and the Gittites (600 men from Gath) passed by the king.
2 Samuel 15 : 19 (ERVEN)
The king said to Ittai from Gath, "Why are you also going with us? You are a foreigner, this is not your homeland. Go back and stay with the new king.
2 Samuel 15 : 20 (ERVEN)
You came to join me only yesterday. You don't need to wander from place to place with me. Take your brothers and go back. Go with my faithful, loving kindness."
2 Samuel 15 : 21 (ERVEN)
But Ittai answered the king, "As the Lord lives, and as long as you live, I will stay with you, in life or death!"
2 Samuel 15 : 22 (ERVEN)
David said to Ittai, "Then come, let's go cross Kidron Brook." So Ittai from Gath and all of his people and their children crossed over Kidron Brook.
2 Samuel 15 : 23 (ERVEN)
All the people were crying loudly. Then King David crossed over Kidron Brook, and all of the people went out to the desert.
2 Samuel 15 : 24 (ERVEN)
Zadok and all the Levites with him were carrying the Box of God's Agreement. They set down God's Holy Box, and Abiathar said prayers until all of the people had left Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 15 : 25 (ERVEN)
King David said to Zadok, "Take God's Holy Box back to Jerusalem. If the Lord is pleased with me, he will bring me back and let me see Jerusalem and his Temple.
2 Samuel 15 : 26 (ERVEN)
But if the Lord says that he is not pleased with me, let him do whatever he wants to me."
2 Samuel 15 : 27 (ERVEN)
The king said to Zadok the priest, "You are a seer. Go back to the city in peace. Take your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
2 Samuel 15 : 28 (ERVEN)
I will be waiting near the places where people cross the river into the desert. I will wait there until I hear from you."
2 Samuel 15 : 29 (ERVEN)
So Zadok and Abiathar took God's Holy Box back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
2 Samuel 15 : 30 (ERVEN)
David walked up the path to the Mount of Olives. He was crying, his head was covered and he went without sandals on his feet. All the people with David also covered their heads and were crying as they walked with him.
2 Samuel 15 : 31 (ERVEN)
Someone told David, "Ahithophel is one who joined in Absalom's plot against you." Then David prayed, "Lord, I ask you to make Ahithophel give only foolish advice."
2 Samuel 15 : 32 (ERVEN)
When David got to the top of the mountain, he bowed down to worship God. Then David noticed Hushai the Arkite. Hushai's coat was torn, and there was dust on his head.
2 Samuel 15 : 33 (ERVEN)
David said to Hushai, "If you go with me, you will be just one more person to care for.
2 Samuel 15 : 34 (ERVEN)
But if you go back to Jerusalem, you can disagree with Ahithophel and make his advice useless. Tell Absalom, 'King, I am your servant. I served your father, but now I will serve you.'
2 Samuel 15 : 35 (ERVEN)
The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be with you. You must tell them everything you hear in the king's palace.
2 Samuel 15 : 36 (ERVEN)
Zadok's son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan will be with them. You can send them to tell me everything you hear."
2 Samuel 15 : 37 (ERVEN)
So David's friend Hushai went back to the city, just as Absalom arrived in Jerusalem.
❮
❯