2 Samuel 15:1-13 ▼

1 AND after this, Absalom prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.

2 And Absalom rose up early and stood beside the king's gate; and it was so that when any man had a case to be tried before the king, then Absalom called him to him, and said, Of what city are you? And he said, Your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

3 And Absalom said to him, I see your arguments are good and just; but there is no man deputed by the king to hear you.

4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made a judge in the land, that every man who has a lawsuit or a cause might come to me, and I would do him justice!

5 And whenever a man arose to do him obeisance, he held him by his hand and kissed him.

6 And in this manner did Absalom to all the Israelites who came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 And it came to pass after four years Absalom said to the king, Let me go and fulfil my vow which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron;

8 For your servant made a vow while I abode at Geshur and in Aram, saying. If the LORD will bring me again indeed 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 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, Absalom reigns in Hebron.

11 And with Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem, but they went innocently, not knowing anything of the plot.

12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, and brought him from his city, from Giloh, while he was offering sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong; and the people increased continually on the side of Absalom.

13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.