27. And he went on to say to Zadok, “Look, take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan and go back to the city in peace.
28. Meanwhile, I will wait at the river crossings in the wilderness until I receive news from you.”
29. So Zadok and Abiathar took the Covenant Box back into Jerusalem and stayed there.
30. David went on up the Mount of Olives weeping; he was barefoot and had his head covered as a sign of grief. All who followed him covered their heads and wept also.
31. When David was told that Ahithophel had joined Absalom's rebellion, he prayed, “Please, Lord, turn Ahithophel's advice into nonsense!”
32. When David reached the top of the hill, where there was a place of worship, his trusted friend Hushai the Archite met him with his clothes torn and with earth on his head.
33. David said to him, “You will be of no help to me if you come with me,
34. but you can help me by returning to the city and telling Absalom that you will now serve him as faithfully as you served his father. And do all you can to oppose any advice that Ahithophel gives.
35. The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be there; tell them everything you hear in the king's palace.
36. They have their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan with them, and you can send them to me with all the information you gather.”
37. So Hushai, David's friend, returned to the city just as Absalom was arriving.