27. The king said to Zadok the priest, “You are a seer. Go back to the city in peace. Take your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28. I will be waiting near the places where people cross the river into the desert. I will wait there until I hear from you.”
29. So Zadok and Abiathar took God’s Holy Box back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
30. David walked up the path to the Mount of Olives. He was crying, his head was covered, and he went without sandals on his feet. All the people with David also covered their heads and were crying as they walked with him.
31. Someone told David, “Ahithophel is one who joined in Absalom’s plot against you.” Then David prayed, “Lord, I ask you to make Ahithophel give only foolish advice.”
32. When David got to the top of the mountain, he bowed down to worship God. Then David noticed Hushai the Arkite. Hushai’s coat was torn, and there was dust on his head.
33. David said to Hushai, “If you go with me, you will be just one more person to care for.
34. But if you go back to Jerusalem, you can disagree with Ahithophel and make his advice useless. Tell Absalom, ‘King, I am your servant. I served your father, but now I will serve you.’