2 Samuel 15:5-13

5Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him.

6Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

7At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the Lord.

8While your servant was living at Geshur in Aram, I made this vow: ‘If the Lord takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the Lord in Hebron.’ ”

9The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he went to Hebron.

10Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ ”

11Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter.

12While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from Giloh, his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.

13A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”