--- title: 2 Samuel 15 slug: kjv/2-samuel-15 createdAt: 2024-08-14T02:43:55.388Z --- **1 **And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. **2 **And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was *so*, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city *art* thou? And he said, Thy servant *is* of one of the tribes of Israel. **3 **And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters *are* good and right; but *there is* no man *deputed* of the king to hear thee. **4 **Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! **5 **And it was *so*, that when any man came nigh *to him* to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. **6 **And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. **7 **And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. **8 **For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. **9 **And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. **10 **But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. **11 **And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, *that were* called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. **12 **And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counseller, from his city, *even* from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. **13 **And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. **14 **And David said unto all his servants that *were* with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not *else* escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. **15 **And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants *are ready to do* whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. **16 **And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, *which were* concubines, to keep the house. **17 **And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. **18 **And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. **19 **Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou *art* a stranger, and also an exile. **20 **Whereas thou camest *but* yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth *be* with thee. **21 **And Ittai answered the king, and said, *As* the LORD liveth, and *as* my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. **22 **And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that *were* with him. **23 **And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. **24 **And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites *were* with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. **25 **And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me *both* it, and his habitation: **26 **But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, *here am* I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. **27 **The king said also unto Zadok the priest, *Art not* thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. **28 **See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. **29 **Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. **30 **And David went up by the ascent of *mount* Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that *was* with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. **31 **And *one* told David, saying, Ahithophel *is* among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. **32 **And it came to pass, that *when* David was come to the top *of the mount*, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head: **33 **Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me: **34 **But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; *as* I *have been* thy father's servant hitherto, so *will* I now also *be* thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. **35 **And *hast thou* not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, *that* what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell *it* to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. **36 **Behold, *they have* there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's *son*, and Jonathan Abiathar's *son*; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear. **37 **So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.