2 Samuel 15
Revised Geneva Translation
15 After this, Absalom prepared chariots for himself, and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 And Absalom rose up early and stood by the entrance of the gate. And every man who had any dispute, and had come to the king for judgment, Absalom called to himself, and said, “What city are you from?” And he answered, “Your servant is from…” (one of the tribes of Israel).
3 Then Absalom said to him, “See, your matters are good and righteous; but there is no deputy of the king to hear you.”
4 Moreover, Absalom said, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, so that every man who has any dispute might come to me, so that I might do him justice!”
5 And when any man came near to him and prostrated himself, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him.
6 And in this manner did Absalom to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So, Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And after forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Pleaase let me go to Hebron and render my vow which I have vowed to the LORD.
8 “For your servant vowed a vow when I remained at Geshur, in Aram, saying, ‘If the LORD shall bring me back indeed to Jerusalem, I will serve the LORD.’”
9 And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So, he arose and went to Hebron.
10 Then, Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “When you hear the sound of the trumpet, you shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’”
11 And two hundred invited men went out of Jerusalem with Absalom. And they went innocently, knowing nothing.
12 Also, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, Giloh, while he offered Sacrifices. And the treason was great. For the people with Absalom steadily increased.
13 Then, a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel have turned to follow Absalom.”
14 Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Up, and let us flee! For we shall not escape from Absalom. Make speed to depart, lest he comes suddenly and takes us and brings evil upon us and strikes the city with the edge of the sword.”
15 And the king’s servants said to him, “Behold, your servants are ready to do according to all that my lord the king shall appoint.”
16 So the king departed, with all his household following him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house.
17 And the king went forth, with all the people following him, and stayed in a faraway place.
18 And all his servants went around him, and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, six hundred men, who had followed him from Gath, went before the king.
19 Then, the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why have you also come with us? Return and stay with the king, for you are a stranger. Therefore, depart to your place!
20 “You came yesterday. And should I make you wander today and go with us? I will go where I can. Therefore, you return and carry back your brethren. Mercy and truth be with you.”
21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, there will your servant surely be.”
22 Then David said to Ittai, “Come and go forward.” And Ittai the Gittite went, and all his men, and all the children who were with him.
23 And all the country wept with a loud voice. And all the people went forward. But the king passed over the brook Kidron. And all the people went over toward the way of the wilderness.
24 And lo, Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him, bearing the Ark of the Covenant of God. And they set the Ark of God down. And Abiathar went up until all the people had come out of the city.
25 Then, the king said to Zadok, “Carry the Ark of God back into the city. If I shall find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me it and its Tabernacle.
26 “But if He says this: “I have no delight in you,” behold, I am here. Let Him do to me as seems good in His Eyes.”
27 Again, the king said to Zadok the Priest, “Are you not a Seer? Return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you: Ahimaaz, your son, and Jonathan, the son of Abiathar.
28 “Behold, I will wait in the fields of the wilderness until some word comes from you to be told to me.”
29 Therefore, Zadok and Abiathar carried the Ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they waited there.
30 And David went up the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and went barefooted. And all the people who were with him (every man) had his head covered. And as they went up, they wept.
31 Then one told David, saying, “Ahithophel is one of those who have conspired with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, I pray! Turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
32 Then David came to the top of the Mount, where he worshipped God. And behold, Hushai the Archite came against him, with his coat torn and having earth upon his head,
33 to whom David said, “If you go with me, you shall be a burden to me.
34 “But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king! As I have been in time past your father’s servant, so will I now be your servant!’ then you may bring me the counsel of Ahithophel to nothing.
35 “And do you not have there with you Zadok and Abiathar, the priests? Therefore, whatever you shall hear out of the king’s house, you shall tell Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36 “Behold, their two sons are there with them: Ahimaaz, Zadok’s, and Jonathan, Abiathar’s. By them also shall you send me everything that you can hear.”
37 So Hushai, David’s friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.
© 2019, 2024 by Five Talents Audio. All rights reserved.