1 A nd it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

After this, Absalom got a war-wagon and horses, and fifty men to run in front of him.

2 A nd Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.

He used to get up early and stand beside the way to the gate. When any man had a problem to be decided upon by the king, Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would answer, “Your servant is from one of the families of Israel.”

3 A nd Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

Then Absalom would say to him, “Your side of the problem is good and right. But there is no man to listen to you for the king.”

4 A bsalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!

And Absalom would say, “If only I were chosen to be the one to be judge in the land! Then every man who has a problem could come to me. And I would do for him what is right and fair.”

5 A nd it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.

When a man came near to put his face to the ground in front of him, Absalom would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him.

6 A nd on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

He acted this way toward all those of Israel who came with a problem for the king to judge. So Absalom became friends with the men of Israel.

7 A nd it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron.

At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, “I ask you, let me go to Hebron and keep my promise that I have promised to the Lord.

8 F or thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.

For your servant made a promise while I was living at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the Lord will bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’”

9 A nd the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

And the king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he got up and went to Hebron.

10 B ut Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.

But Absalom sent men to go in secret through all the families of Israel. He said to them, “As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, then say, ‘Absalom is king at Hebron.’”

11 A nd with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

With Absalom went 200 men from Jerusalem. They had been asked to come, and did not know what Absalom had planned.

12 A nd Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

While Absalom was giving gifts on the altar in worship, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, from his city Giloh. He was the man who talked with David about what to do. The plans against David became strong. For more and more people joined Absalom. David Runs from Jerusalem

13 A nd there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

Then a man came to David with news, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”

14 A nd David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Get up and let us run. Or else none of us will be safe from Absalom. Hurry and go, or he will be quick to catch us and bring trouble upon us. He would destroy the city with the sword.”

15 A nd the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

The king’s servants said to him, “See, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses.”

16 A nd the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

So the king left with all those of his house. But he left ten of his women to take care of the house.

17 A nd the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

The king left with all the people, and they stopped at the last house.

18 A nd all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

All his servants passed by him, and all the Cherethites, Pelethites, Gittites, and 600 men who had come with him from Gath. They all passed by the king.

19 T hen said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.

Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why do you go with us also? Return and stay with the king. For you are from another land and have been driven from your home.

20 W hereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

You came only yesterday. Should I make you go with us today, when I do not know where I am going? Return with your brothers. May loving-kindness and faith be with you.”

21 A nd Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

But Ittai said to the king, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, your servant will be where my lord the king may be, in death or in life.”

22 A nd David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

So David said to him, “Go then, pass on.” And Ittai the Gittite passed on, with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

23 A nd all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

All the country was crying with a loud voice as all the people passed by. The king crossed the river Kidron, and all the people went on toward the desert.

24 A nd lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

Zadok came also, with all the Levites who carried the special box with the Law of God. Abiathar had the special box of God put down until all the people had passed out of the city.

25 A nd the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:

The king said to Zadok, “Return the special box of God to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will have me return. And He will have me see both it and His family.

26 b ut if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

But if He says, ‘I have no joy in you,’ then here I am. Let Him do to me what He thinks is good.”

27 T he king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

And the king said to Zadok the religious leader, “Are you not a man who speaks for God? Return to the city in peace with Abiathar and your two sons, your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan.

28 S ee, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

See, I will wait in the desert by the place where the river is crossed, until I hear from you.”

29 Z adok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

So Zadok and Abiathar returned the special box of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.

30 A nd David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

David went up the Mount of Olives and cried as he went. His head was covered and he wore no shoes. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up crying as they went.

31 A nd one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

Now David was told, “Ahithophel is among those who are making plans with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, make the words of Ahithophel foolish.”

32 A nd it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

As David was coming to the top of the mountain, where God was worshiped, Hushai the Archite met him. His coat was torn and there was dust on his head.

33 u nto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be trouble for me.

34 b ut if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father’s servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

But if you return to the city, you can bring trouble to the words of Ahithophel for me. Say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king. I will work for you as I have worked for your father in the past.’ Then you can make the words of Ahithophel foolish for me.

35 A nd hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

Will not Zadok and Abiathar the religious leaders be there with you? Tell Zadok and Abiathar whatever you hear from the king’s house.

36 B ehold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.

Their two sons are with them there, Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. By them you can send me news of all that you hear.”

37 S o Hushai David’s friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

So David’s friend Hushai came into Jerusalem, just as Absalom was coming into the city.