⁸ But Zadok^(A) the priest, Benaiah^(B) son of Jehoiada, Nathan^(C) the prophet, Shimei^(D) and Rei and David’s special guard^(E) did not join Adonijah.

⁴⁵ and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king at Gihon. From there they have gone up cheering, and the city resounds^(A) with it. That’s the noise you hear.

³⁵ The king put Benaiah^(A) son of Jehoiada over the army in Joab’s position and replaced Abiathar with Zadok^(B) the priest.

²⁴ Zadok^(A) was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark^(B) of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar^(C) offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.

²⁵ Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place^(D) again. 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.^(E)”

²⁷ The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Do you understand?^(F) Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan.^(G) You and Abiathar return with your two sons. ²⁸ I will wait at the fords^(H) in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” ²⁹ So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.

¹⁵ Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. ¹⁶ Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness;^(A) cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.^(B)’”

¹¹ King David sent this message to Zadok^(A) and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters?