1 A nd it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared for himself 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 early, and stood beside the way of the gate; and it was so, that when any man who had a controversy had to come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called 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 to him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man to hear thee by the king.

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 nd Absalom said, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any controversy and cause might come to 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 near 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 in this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment; and 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 at the end of forty years, that Absalom said to the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay in Hebron my vow which I have vowed to Jehovah.

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 in Geshur in Syria, saying, If Jehovah shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve Jehovah.

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 to him, Go in peace. And he rose up and went to Hebron.

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

10 A nd Absalom sent emissaries into all the tribes of Israel, saying, When ye hear the sound of the trumpet, ye shall say, Absalom reigns 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 invited; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew nothing.

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, from Giloh, while he offered the sacrifices. And the conspiracy gathered strength; and 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 one to David who reported 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 to all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Rise up and let us flee; for we shall not escape from Absalom. Be quick to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, 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 to the king, Behold, thy servants whatever my lord the king shall choose.

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, 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 stayed at the remote house.

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 that came after him from Gath, passed over 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 A nd the king said to Ittai the Gittite, Why dost thou also go with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king; for thou art a foreigner, and besides, thou hast emigrated to the place where thou.

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 T hou didst come yesterday, and should I this day make thee go up and down with us, seeing I go whither I can? Return 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, Jehovah liveth, and 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 torrent Kidron, and all the people passed over, towards 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 behold, Zadok also, and all the Levites 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 passed completely 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 to Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city. If I shall find favour in the eyes of Jehovah, he will bring me again, and shew me it, and its 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, I, let him do to me as seemeth good to 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 A nd the king said to Zadok the priest, Thou art the 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 stop in the plains of the desert, until there come word from you to inform me.

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

29 A nd Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem; and they abode there.

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

30 B ut David went up by the ascent of the Olives, 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. Then said David, Jehovah, 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, when David had come to the summit, where he worshipped God, that 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 A nd David said to him, If thou passest on with me, thou wilt be a burden to 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 to Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so now will I 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? and it shall be, whatsoever thing 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, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send to me everything that ye shall 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 A nd 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.