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.
7. After four years Absalom said to King David, “Please let me go to Hebron. I want to carry out my promise that I made to the Lord.
8. I made it while I was living in Geshur in Aram. I said, ‘If the Lord takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship him in Hebron.’”
9. The king said, “Go in peace.”So Absalom went to Hebron.
10. But he sent secret messengers through all the tribes of Israel. They told the people, “When you hear the trumpets, say this: ‘Absalom has become the king at Hebron!’”
11. Absalom had invited 200 men to go with him. So they went from Jerusalem with him. But they didn’t know what he was planning.