² He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate.^(A) Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” ³ Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.”^{(B) 4} And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land!^(C) Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”