1. After this, Absalom got a chariot and horses for himself. He got 50 men to run before him.
2. Absalom would get up early and stand near the city gate. If anyone had a problem he wanted the king to settle, he would come here. When he came, Absalom would call to the man. Absalom would say, “What city are you from?”The man would answer, “I’m from one of the tribes of Israel.”
3. Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are right. But the king has no one to listen to you.”
4. Absalom would also say, “I wish someone would make me judge in this land! Then I could help everyone who comes with a problem. I could help him get a fair decision for his problem!”
5. People would come near Absalom to bow to him. When they did, Absalom would reach out his hand and take hold of them. Then he would kiss them.
6. Absalom did that to all the Israelites who came to King David for decisions. In this way, Absalom won the hearts of all Israel.