4. And he would continue: “If only I could be appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a lawsuit to be decided might come to me and I would render him justice.”
5. Whenever a man approached him to show homage, he would extend his hand, hold him, and kiss him.
6. By behaving in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king for judgment, Absalom was stealing the heart of Israel.
7. After a period of four years, Absalom said to the king: “Please let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the Lord.
8. For while living in Geshur in Aram, your servant made this vow: ‘If the Lord ever brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship him in Hebron.’”
9. The king said to him, “Go in peace,” and he went off to Hebron.
10. Then Absalom sent agents throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “When you hear the sound of the horn, say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’”
11. Two hundred men had accompanied Absalom from Jerusalem. They had been invited and went in all innocence, knowing nothing.
12. Absalom also sent to Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, an invitation to come from his town, Giloh, for the sacrifices he was about to offer. So the conspiracy gained strength, and the people with Absalom increased in numbers.