2 Samuel 15:1-3

Contemporary English Version

Absalom Rebels against David

15 Some time later, Absalom got himself a chariot with horses to pull it, and he had 50 men run in front. ²He would get up early each morning and wait by the side of the road that led to the city gate.^[a] Anyone who had a complaint to bring to King David would have to go that way, and Absalom would ask each of them, “Where are you from?”

If they said, “I'm from a tribe in the north,” ³Absalom would say, “You deserve to win your case. It's too bad the king doesn't have anyone to hear complaints like yours.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

15.2 the city gate: Or “the entrance to the king's palace.”

2 Samuel 15:1-3

EasyEnglish Bible

Absalom turns against King David

15 Some time later, Absalom bought a chariot and some horses. He had 50 men who ran in front of the chariot to give him honour. ²Every day, he got up early in the morning. Then he went to stand at the side of the road near the city's gate. He called out to anyone who was bringing a problem for the king to judge. He would ask them, ‘Which town have you come from?’ Then the man would tell Absalom which tribe of Israel he belonged to. ³Then Absalom would say, ‘I am sure that you are right. You deserve to receive justice. But the king has not given any of his officers authority to listen to you.’

Read full chapter

2 Samuel 15:1-3

New King James Version

Absalom’s Treason

15 After this ^(A)it happened that Absalom ^(B)provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. ²Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a ^(C)lawsuit^[a] came to the king for a decision, that Absalom would call to him and say, “What city are you from?” And he would say, “Your servant is from such and such a tribe of Israel.” ³Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your ^[b]case is good and right; but there is no ^[c]deputy of the king to hear you.”