2 Samuel 15

Absalom Steals the Hearts of Israel

1After this Absalom prepared for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men running before him. 2Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. Whenever any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” He would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3Absalom would say to him, “See, your matters are good and right, but there is no one appointed by the king to hear you.” 4Absalom would say, “Who will make me judge in the land, so that every man who has a dispute or case may come to me, and I would give him justice!” 5And whenever a man came near to bow down to him, he would stretch out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him. 6Absalom did this to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the heart of the men of Israel.

Absalom Announces His Rebellion

7At the end of forty years Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow that I vowed to the LORD in Hebron. 8For your servant vowed a vow while I lived at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘If the LORD will 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, “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, then say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron!’” 11With Absalom went two hundred men from Jerusalem who were invited and went in their innocence, knowing nothing of the matter. 12Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh while he was offering sacrifices. The conspiracy became strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing.

David Flees Jerusalem

13A messenger came to David, saying, “The heart of the men of Israel has gone after Absalom.” 14David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, “Rise, and let us flee, for otherwise there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Hurry to go, lest he hurry and overtake us and bring evil upon us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15The king’s servants said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king chooses, look, your servants are ready.” 16So the king went out, and all his household after him. But the king left ten concubines to keep the house. 17The king went out, and all the people after him, and they stopped at the last house.

The Gittites Follow David

18All his servants passed by beside him, and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath, passed by before the king. 19Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you also go with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile from your own place. 20You came only yesterday, and today should I make you wander with us when I am going wherever I may go? Return and take your brothers back with you. Steadfast love and faithfulness be with you.” 21But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the LORD lives and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.” 22David said to Ittai, “Go and cross over.” So Ittai the Gittite crossed over, and all his men and all the little children who were with him.

David Crosses the Kidron

23All the land wept with a loud voice as all the people crossed over. The king crossed the Wadi Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.

David Sends the Ark Back to Jerusalem

24And look, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished passing out of the city. 25The king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me back and let me see it and its dwelling place. 26But if he says thus, ‘I have no delight in you,’ look, here I am. Let him do to me as is good in his eyes.” 27The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you: Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan son of Abiathar. 28See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until a word comes from you to inform me.” 29So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and remained there.

David Weeps on the Mount of Olives

30David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, going and weeping. His head was covered, and he walked barefoot. All the people who were with him each covered his head, and they went up, going and weeping. 31It was told to David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David said, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

Hushai Is Sent Back to Jerusalem

32It happened when David came to the summit, where God was worshiped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his robe torn and dirt upon his head. 33David said to him, “If you cross over with me, you will be a burden to me. 34But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant in the past, so now I will be your servant,’ then you can frustrate for me the counsel of Ahithophel. 35Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you? So whatever word you hear from the king’s house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36Look, their two sons are there with them, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar. By their hand you shall send to me everything that you hear.” 37So Hushai, David’s companion, came into the city just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.