2 Samuel Chapter 15
Absalom’s Conspiracy
1 After that, Absalom provided himself a chariot, horses, and 50 men to run ahead of him. 2 He’d get up early and stand by the road to the gate. When anybody had a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say,
“What city are you from?”
He’d say, “I’m from a tribe in Israel.”
3 Then Absalom would say,
“Your claims are right, but everybody with the king is ignoring you. 4 If only somebody would appoint me judge in the land, everyone that has a suit could come to me for justice.”
5 When somebody came near to prostrate himself before him, he’d put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. 6 That’s how he dealt with everyone in Israel that came to the king for judgment. He stole away the hearts of Israel.
2 Sam 15:1-6
7 At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king,
“Let me go pay the vow I made to Yahveh in Hebron. 8 I took a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram that if Yahveh brought me back to Jerusalem, I’d serve him.”
9“Go ahead.”
He went to Hebron. 10 But he sent spies throughout the tribes and said, “As soon as you hear the ram’s horn, say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’” 11 Then 200 men went with him from Jerusalem. They went innocently, not knowing what was going on. 12 Absalom sent for Ahithophel, David’s advisor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering sacrifices. The conspiracy was growing strong; the people continually increased with Absalom.
David Flees
13 Then a messenger came to David, “The hearts of Israel are with Absalom.”
14 David told his aides in Jerusalem, “Let’s flee. Otherwise, none of us will escape from him. Hurry so he won’t overtake us right away, bring down catastrophe on us, and strike the city with the sword.”
15 The king’s aides told him, “We’re ready to do whatever you decide.”
2 Sam 15:7-15
16 So he and his whole house left except for 10 concubines to take care of the palace. 17 He and the people with him went out and stopped at the last house. 18 His aides passed on beside him, the Cherethites, Pelethites, and the men of Gath. The 600 men that had come with him from Gath passed on ahead of him.
19 The king said to Ittai of Gath,
“Why go with us? Go back to King Absalom. You’re a foreigner and an exile; go back to your own place. 20 You just came yesterday; will I make you wander with us today while I don’t know where I’m going? Go back and take back your brothers. Mercy and truth be with you.”
21 But Ittai answered, “As sure as Yahveh lives and you live, I’ll be wherever you are, for life or death.”
22 David said, “Go on across.”
So Ittai crossed with his people and little ones. 23 While the whole country cried out loud, the people passed over. The king and the people crossed the Kidron toward the countryside.
2 Sam 15:16-23
24 Zadok and the Levites with him came carrying the Ark of the covenant. They set it down, and Abiathar came up till the people had finished leaving the city. 25 The king told Zadok,
“Take the Ark back to the city. If I’m pleasing to Yahveh, he’ll bring me back, and show me it and his dwelling place. 26 But if he doesn’t delight in me, here I am. Let him do to me what seems good to him.”
27 He also said to Zadok,
“Aren’t you a seer? Go back to the city in peace, you and your two sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan Ben-Abiathar. 28 I’ll wait at the fords in the open country till you send me word.”
29 Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
2 Sam 15:24-29
30 David went up the Mount of Olives and cried as he went. He covered his head and walked barefoot. Then the people that were with him covered their heads and went up crying as they went. 31 Someone told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”
David said, “Yahveh, turn Ahithophel’s advice into foolishness.” 32 As David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, Hushai the Archite met him with his coat torn and dust on his head. 33 David told him,
“If you pass over with me, you’ll be a burden to me. 34 But if you go back to the city and tell Absalom, ‘I’ll serve you, king, like I served your father,’ you can thwart Ahithophel’s advice for me. 35 Whatever you hear from the king’s palace, report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Their two sons are with them, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son. Use them to send me everything you hear.”
37 Hushai, David’s personal advisor, went into the city as Absalom got to Jerusalem.
2 Sam 15:30-37