Leeser(i)
1 And it came to pass after this, that Abshalom provided for himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men who ran before him.
2 And Abshalom rose up early, and stood on the side of the way to the gate: and it happened, that whenever a man who had a controversy came to the king for judgment, Abshalom called to him, and said, From what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.
3 And Abshalom said unto him, See, thy words are good and right; but no one listeneth to thee on the part of the king.
4 And Abshalom said, Oh, if there were but one to appoint me judge in the land, so that every man who may have any controversy or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
5 And it happened, that when a man came nigh to bow down to him, he used to put forth his hand, and laid hold of him, and kissed him.
6 And Abshalom did after this manner to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: and thus did Abshalom steal the heart of the men of Israel.
7 And it came to pass at the end of forty years, that Abshalom said unto the king, Let me go, I pray thee, and fulfill my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, at Hebron.
8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord will ever bring me back again to Jerusalem, then will I serve the Lord.
9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace: and he arose, and went to Hebron.
10 But Abshalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, When ye hear the sound of the cornet, then shall ye say, Abshalom is become king at Hebron.
11 And with Abshalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and going in their simplicity; and they knew of nothing whatever.
12 And Abshalom sent for Achithophel the Gilomite, David’s counsellor, from his city, from Giloh, while he offered the sacrifices. And the conspiracy became strong; and the people increased continually with Abshalom.
13 And there came a news-bearer to David, saying, the heart of the men of Israel is turned after Abshalom.
14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for there will not else be any escape for us from Abshalom: make haste, to depart, lest he make haste and overtake us suddenly and overwhelm us with evil, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, In accordance with all that my Lord the king may choose, are thy servants ready.
16 And the king went forth, and all his household in his train. And the king left behind ten women, who were concubines, to guard the house.
17 And the king went forth, and all the people in his train, and tarried in a place that was far off.
18 And all his servants passed on alongside of him, and all the Kerethites, and all the Pelethites; and all the Gittites, six hundred men, who were come in his train from Gath, passed on before the king.