Basic HTML Version
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run
before him.
2
And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that
when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto
him, and said, Of what city
art
thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3
And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters
are
good and right; but
there is
no man
deputed
of
the king to hear thee.
4
Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every
man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
5
And it was
so,
that when any man came nigh
to him
to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him,
and kissed him.
6
And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment:
so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7
And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go
and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the L
ORD
, in Hebron.
8
For thy servant vowed a vow
while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the L
ORD
shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then
I will serve the L
ORD
.
9
And the king said unto 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 ye hear the
sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
11
And with Absalom went
two hundred men out of Jerusalem,
that were
called; and they went in their simplicity, and they
knew not any thing.
12
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from
his city,
even
from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people
increased continually with Absalom.
13
And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after
Absalom.
14
And David said unto all his servants that
were
with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let
us flee; for we shall not
else
escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us
suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
15
And the king’s
servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants
are ready to do
whatsoever my lord the king shall
appoint.
16
And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women,
which were
concubines, to keep the house.
17
And the king went forth, and all the people after him,
and tarried in a place that was far off.
18
And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the
Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from
Gath, passed on before the king.
19
Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place,
and abide with the king: for thou
art
a stranger, and also an exile.
20
Whereas thou camest
but
yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return
thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth
be
with thee.
21
And Ittai answered the king, and
said,
As
the L
ORD
liveth, and
as
my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall
be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
22
And David said to Ittai, Go and
pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that
were
with
him.
23
And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also
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KJV Bible