¹¹ Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter.

²⁶ But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.^(A)”

²⁷ The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Do you understand?^(B) Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan.^(C) You and Abiathar return with your two sons. ²⁸ I will wait at the fords^(D) in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”