25. The king said to Zadok, “Take the Ark of God back into the city. If the Lord is pleased with me, he will bring me back and will let me see both it and Jerusalem again.
26. But if the Lord says he is not pleased with me, I am ready. He can do what he wants with me.”
27. The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Aren’t you a seer? Go back to the city in peace and take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan with you.
28. I will wait near the crossings into the desert until I hear from you.”
29. So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
30. David went up the Mount of Olives, crying as he went. He covered his head and went barefoot. All the people with David covered their heads also and cried as they went.
31. Someone told David, “Ahithophel is one of the people with Absalom who made secret plans against you.”So David prayed, “Lord, please make Ahithophel’s advice foolish.”
32. When David reached the top of the mountain where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite came to meet him. Hushai’s coat was torn, and there was dirt on his head to show how sad he was.
33. David said to Hushai, “If you go with me, you will be just one more person for me to take care of.
34. But if you return to the city, you can make Ahithophel’s advice useless. Tell Absalom, ‘I am your servant, my king. In the past I served your father, but now I will serve you.’
35. The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be with you. Tell them everything you hear in the royal palace.
36. Zadok’s son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan are with them. Send them to tell me everything you hear.”
37. So David’s friend Hushai entered Jerusalem just as Absalom arrived.