2 Samuel 15:5-13

5Also, whenever anyone approached to bow to him, he would stretch his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him.

6So Absalom kept doing this to everyone of Israel who came to the king for judgment. Thus Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

7At the end of 40 years Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron and pay my vow which I have vowed to Adonai.

8For your servant vowed a vow while I was still living at Geshur in Aram saying, ‘If Adonai will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve Adonai.’”

9So the king said to him, “Go in shalom.” Then he rose and went to Hebron.

10But Absalom sent spies to all the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the shofar, then you are to say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron!’”

11Now 200 men from Jerusalem went with Absalom, who were invited and were going innocently, knowing nothing of the situation.

12Also Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor from his town Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. So the conspiracy gained momentum for the people following Absalom continued to increase.

13Then a messenger came to David saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are following Absalom.”