2 Samuel 15:1-12

1Now it came about after this that 1Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him. 2Absalom used to rise early and 2stand beside the way to the gate; and when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3Then Absalom would say to him, “See, 3your 4claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.” 4Moreover, Absalom would say, “5Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.” 5And when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and 6kiss him. 6In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; 7so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.

7Now it came about at the end of 8forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed to the Lord, in 9Hebron. 8For your servant 10vowed a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘11If the Lord shall 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, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘12Absalom is king in Hebron.’” 11Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, 13who were invited and 14went 15innocently, and they did not know anything. 12And Absalom sent for 16Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city 17Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for 18the people increased continually with Absalom.