10:014:033 So Joab came to the king, and told him:
and when he had called
for
Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on
his
face
to the ground before the king: and the king kissed
Absalom.
10:015:001 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom
prepared him
chariots
and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
10:015:002 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.
10:015:003 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters
are good and
right;
but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
10:015:004 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!
10:015:005 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.
10:015:006 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.
10:015:007 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 lord, in Hebron.
10:015:008 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode
at Geshur in Syria,
saying,
If the lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem,
then
I will serve the lord.
10:015:009 And the king said unto him, Go in peace.
So he arose, and went
to
Hebron.
10:015:010 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.
10:015:011 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.
10:015:012 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.
10:015:013 And there came a messenger to David, saying,
The hearts of the
men
of Israel are after Absalom.
10:015:014 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.


