Absalom’s Conspiracy

Some time later Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. 2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate.

Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask,“What city are you from?” And if he replied,“Your servant [is] from one of the tribes of Israel,” 3 Absalom would say“Look, your claims are good and right, but the king [has] no deputy to hear you.”

4 

And [he] would add,“If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.”

5 

Also, when anyone approached to bow down to him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him. 6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 

After four[fn] years had passed, Absalom said to the king,“Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I have made to the LORD. 8 For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying:‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD [in Hebron].’[fn]”

9 

“Go in peace,” said the king So [Absalom] got up and went to Hebron.

10 

Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message:“When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say,‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’ ”

11 

Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter. 12 While [Absalom] was offering the sacrifices, [he] sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, [to come] from his hometown of Giloh.

So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing

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