5When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them.

6Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.

7After four years,15:7 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads forty years. Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron to offer a sacrifice to the Lord and fulfill a vow I made to him.

8For while your servant was at Geshur in Aram, I promised to sacrifice to the Lord in Hebron15:8 As in some Greek manuscripts; Hebrew lacks in Hebron. if he would bring me back to Jerusalem.”

9“All right,” the king told him. “Go and fulfill your vow.”

10But while he was there, he sent secret messengers to all the tribes of Israel to stir up a rebellion against the king. “As soon as you hear the ram’s horn,” his message read, “you are to say, ‘Absalom has been crowned king in Hebron.’”

11He took 200 men from Jerusalem with him as guests, but they knew nothing of his intentions.

12While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum.

14“Then we must flee at once, or it will be too late!” David urged his men. “Hurry! If we get out of the city before Absalom arrives, both we and the city of Jerusalem will be spared from disaster.”

15“We are with you,” his advisers replied. “Do what you think is best.”

16So the king and all his household set out at once. He left no one behind except ten of his concubines to look after the palace.

17The king and all his people set out on foot, pausing at the last house

18to let all the king’s men move past to lead the way. There were 600 men from Gath who had come with David, along with the king’s bodyguard.15:18 Hebrew the Kerethites and Pelethites.

19Then the king turned and said to Ittai, a leader of the men from Gath, “Why are you coming with us? Go on back to King Absalom, for you are a guest in Israel, a foreigner in exile.

20You arrived only recently, and should I force you today to wander with us? I don’t even know where we will go. Go on back and take your kinsmen with you, and may the Lord show you his unfailing love and faithfulness.15:20 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads and may unfailing love and faithfulness go with you.”

21But Ittai said to the king, “I vow by the Lord and by your own life that I will go wherever my lord the king goes, no matter what happens—whether it means life or death.”

22David replied, “All right, come with us.” So Ittai and all his men and their families went along.

23Everyone cried loudly as the king and his followers passed by. They crossed the Kidron Valley and then went out toward the wilderness.

24Zadok and all the Levites also came along, carrying the Ark of the Covenant of God. They set down the Ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices15:24 Or Abiathar went up. until everyone had passed out of the city.

25Then the king instructed Zadok to take the Ark of God back into the city. “If the Lord sees fit,” David said, “he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle15:25 Hebrew and his dwelling place. again.

26But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him.”

27The king also told Zadok the priest, “Look,15:27a As in Greek version; Hebrew reads Are you a seer? or Do you see? here is my plan. You and Abiathar15:27b Hebrew lacks and Abiathar; compare 15:29. should return quietly to the city with your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan.

28I will stop at the shallows of the Jordan River15:28 Hebrew at the crossing points of the wilderness. and wait there for a report from you.”

29So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of God back to the city and stayed there.

30David walked up the road to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and his feet were bare as a sign of mourning. And the people who were with him covered their heads and wept as they climbed the hill.

31When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, “O Lord, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!”

32When David reached the summit of the Mount of Olives where people worshiped God, Hushai the Arkite was waiting there for him. Hushai had torn his clothing and put dirt on his head as a sign of mourning.

33But David told him, “If you go with me, you will only be a burden.

34Return to Jerusalem and tell Absalom, ‘I will now be your adviser, O king, just as I was your father’s adviser in the past.’ Then you can frustrate and counter Ahithophel’s advice.

35Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, will be there. Tell them about the plans being made in the king’s palace,

36and they will send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what is going on.”

37So David’s friend Hushai returned to Jerusalem, getting there just as Absalom arrived.