24. Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until the people had finished marching past.
25. Then the king instructed Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, He will bring me back and allow me to see both it and its dwelling place.
26. However, if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am — He can do with me whatever pleases Him.”
27. The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Look, return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan.
28. Remember, I’ll wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”
29. So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.
30. David was climbing the slope of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he ascended. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. Each of the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they ascended.
31. Then someone reported to David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.”“Lord,” David pleaded, “please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness! ”
32. When David came to the summit where he used to worship God, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.
33. David said to him, “If you go away with me, you’ll be a burden to me,
34. but if you return to the city and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, my king! Previously, I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant,’ then you can counteract Ahithophel’s counsel for me.