28. Remember, I shall be waiting at the fords near the wilderness until a report from you comes to me.”
29. So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and remained there.
30. As David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, he wept without ceasing. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. All those who were with him also had their heads covered and were weeping as they went.
31. When David was told, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom,” he said, “O Lord, turn the counsel of Ahithophel to folly!”
32. When David reached the top, where God was worshiped, Hushai the Archite was there to meet him, with garments torn and dirt upon his head.
33. David said to him: “If you come with me, you will be a burden to me;
34. but if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Let me be your servant, O king; I was formerly your father’s servant, but now I will be yours,’ you will thwart for me the counsel of Ahithophel.
35. You will have the priests Zadok and Abiathar there with you. If you hear anything from the king’s house, you shall report it to the priests Zadok and Abiathar,
36. who have there with them their two sons, Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. Through them you shall send on to me whatever you hear.”
37. So David’s friend Hushai went into the city, Jerusalem, as Absalom was about to enter it.