¹² And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for^{[a] (A)}Ahithophel the Gilonite, ^(B)David's counselor, from his city ^(C)Giloh. And the conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom ^(D)kept increasing.

David Flees Jerusalem

¹³ And a messenger came to David, saying, ^(E)“The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” ¹⁴ Then David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us ^(F)flee, or else there will be no escape for us from Absalom. Go quickly, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down ruin on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”