1. Then, after these things, Absalom obtained for himself chariots, and horsemen, and fifty men who went before him.
2. And rising up in the morning, Absalom was standing beside the entrance of the gate. And when there was any man who had a dispute that might go before the king's judgment, Absalom would call him to him, and would say, "Which city are you from?" And responding, he would say, "I am your servant, from a certain tribe of Israel."
3. And Absalom would answer him: "Your words seem good and just to me. But there is no one appointed by the king to hear you." And Absalom would say:
4. "Who may appoint me judge over the land, so that all those who have a dispute might come to me, and I might judge justly."
5. Then too, when a man would draw near to him, so that he might greet him, he would extend his hand, and taking hold of him, he would kiss him.
6. And he was doing this to all those of Israel arriving for judgment to be heard by the king. And he solicited the hearts of the men of Israel.
7. Then, after forty years, Absalom said to king David: "I should go and pay my vows, which I have vowed to the Lord at Hebron.
8. For your servant made a vow, when he was in Geshur of Syria, saying: If the Lord will lead me back to Jerusalem, I will sacrifice to the Lord."
9. And king David said to him, "Go in peace." And he rose up and went away to Hebron.
10. They Absalom sent scouts into all the tribes of Israel, saying: "As soon as you hear the blare of the trumpet, say: 'Absalom reigns in Hebron.' "
11. Now having been called, two hundred men from Jerusalem went forth with Absalom, going in simplicity of heart and being entirely ignorant of the plan.
12. Absalom also summoned Ahithophel the Gilonite, a counselor of David, from his city, Giloh. And when he was immolating victims, a very strong oath was sworn, and the people, hurrying together, joined with Absalom.
13. Then a messenger went to David, saying, "With their whole heart, all of Israel is following Absalom."
14. And David said to his servants, who were with him in Jerusalem: "Rise up, let us flee! For otherwise there will be no escape for us from the face of Absalom. Hurry to depart, lest perhaps, upon arriving, he may seize us, and force ruin upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword."
15. And the servants of the king said to him, "Everything whatsoever that our lord the king will command, we your servants shall carry out willingly."
16. Therefore, the king departed, with his entire household on foot. And the king left behind ten women of the concubines to care for the house.
17. And having gone forth on foot, the king and all of Israel stood at a distance from the house.
18. And all his servants were walking beside him. And the legions of the Cerethites and Phelethites, and all the Gittites, powerful fighters, six hundred men who had followed him from Gath on foot, were preceding the king.