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2 Samuel 15
Dios Habla Hoy
2 Samuel 15
Dios Habla Hoy
Absalón se rebela contra David
15 Pasado algún tiempo, Absalón consiguió un carro de combate y caballos, y formó una guardia personal de cincuenta hombres. 2 Se levantaba temprano y se ponía a la orilla del camino, a la entrada de la ciudad, y a todo el que llegaba para que el rey le hiciera justicia en algún pleito, lo llamaba y le preguntaba de qué ciudad venía. Si aquella persona respondía que era de alguna de las tribus de Israel, 3 Absalón le decía: «Realmente tu demanda es justa y razonable, pero no hay quien te atienda por parte del rey.» 4 Y añadía: «¡Ojalá yo fuera el juez de este país, para que vinieran a verme todos los que tienen pleitos legales y yo les hiciera justicia!» 5 Además, cuando alguien se acercaba a saludarlo, Absalón le tendía la mano, y lo abrazaba y lo besaba. 6 Esto lo hacía con todo israelita que iba a ver al rey para que le hiciera justicia, y así les robaba el corazón a los israelitas.
7 Al cabo de cuatro años, Absalón le dijo al rey:
—Ruego a Su Majestad que me permita ir a Hebrón, a cumplir la promesa que hice al Señor. 8 Cuando este servidor de Su Majestad vivía en Guesur, en Siria, prometí al Señor que si él me concedía volver a Jerusalén, yo le rendiría culto.
9 —Puedes ir tranquilo —le respondió el rey.
Entonces Absalón se fue a Hebrón. 10 Pero al mismo tiempo envió unos mensajeros a todas las tribus de Israel para decirles que, en cuanto escucharan el toque de trompeta, anunciaran que Absalón había sido proclamado rey en Hebrón. 11 Invitó además a doscientas personas de Jerusalén, las cuales fueron con él de buena fe y sin saber nada del asunto. 12 Así mismo, Absalón mandó llamar a uno de los consejeros de David, llamado Ahitófel, el cual vivía en Guiló, su ciudad, para que lo acompañara mientras él ofrecía los sacrificios. De modo que la conspiración iba tomando fuerza y seguían aumentando los seguidores de Absalón.
David huye de Jerusalén
13 Un mensajero fue a decirle a David que los israelitas estaban haciéndose partidarios de Absalón. 14 Entonces David ordenó a todos los oficiales que estaban con él en Jerusalén:
—¡Huyamos ahora mismo o no podremos escapar de Absalón! ¡Vamos, dense prisa, no sea que nos alcance y nos cause mucho daño y mate a filo de espada a todos en la ciudad!
15 Y ellos respondieron al rey:
—Nosotros estamos dispuestos a hacer lo que Su Majestad ordene.
16 Así pues, el rey salió acompañado de toda la casa real, dejando sólo a diez de sus concubinas para que cuidaran del palacio. 17 Y después de haber salido el rey con todos sus acompañantes, se detuvieron en la última casa de la ciudad. 18 A su lado se pusieron todos sus oficiales, mientras que todos los quereteos y peleteos de la guardia real, y los seiscientos geteos que lo habían seguido desde Gat, desfilaban ante él. 19 En ese momento el rey dijo a Itai, el de Gat:
—¿Por qué has venido tú también con nosotros? Es mejor que te vuelvas y te quedes con el nuevo rey, pues al fin y al cabo tú eres un extranjero desterrado de tu país. 20 Apenas ayer llegaste, ¿y cómo voy a pedirte hoy que vengas con nosotros, si ni yo mismo sé a dónde voy? Es mejor que te vuelvas y te lleves contigo a tus paisanos. ¡Que el Señor te bendiga y te acompañe siempre!
21 Itai respondió al rey:
—Juro por el Señor y por Su Majestad, que dondequiera que Su Majestad se encuentre, sea para vida o para muerte, allí también estará este servidor suyo.
22 —Entonces ven con nosotros —le contestó David.
De esa manera se fue Itai con David, junto con todos sus hombres y la gente que lo acompañaba. 23 Todo el mundo lloraba amargamente. Pasaron todos el arroyo Cedrón; luego pasó el rey, y toda la gente siguió delante de él por el camino del desierto. 24 También iba Sadoc con todos los levitas que llevaban el arca de la alianza de Dios, el cual dejaron junto a Abiatar hasta que toda la gente salió de la ciudad. 25 Pero el rey le dijo a Sadoc:
—Lleva el arca de Dios de vuelta a la ciudad, pues si el Señor me favorece, hará que yo regrese y vea el arca y el lugar donde éste se halla. 26 Pero si me dice que no le agrado, aquí me tiene; que haga conmigo lo que mejor le parezca.
27 Dijo también el rey a Sadoc, el sacerdote:
—Mira, tú y Abiatar regresen tranquilamente a la ciudad con sus dos hijos. Tú con tu hijo Ahimaas, y Abiatar con su hijo Jonatán. 28 Mientras tanto, yo me quedaré en los llanos del desierto, hasta que me lleguen noticias de ustedes.
29 Sadoc y Abiatar llevaron el arca de Dios de vuelta a Jerusalén, y se quedaron allí. 30 David subió la cuesta de los Olivos; iba descalzo y llorando, y con la cabeza cubierta en señal de dolor. Toda la gente que lo acompañaba llevaba también cubierta la cabeza y subía llorando. 31 Y cuando le contaron a David que Ahitófel era uno de los que conspiraban con Absalón, David rogó al Señor que hiciera fracasar los planes de Ahitófel.
32 Al llegar David a la cumbre del monte, donde se rendía culto a Dios, le salió al encuentro Husai, de la tribu de los arquitas, con la ropa rasgada y la cabeza cubierta de tierra. 33 David le dijo:
—Si te vienes conmigo, me serás una carga; 34 pero si vuelves a Jerusalén y le dices a Absalón: “Majestad, este siervo suyo estará a su servicio igual que antes estuvo al servicio de su padre”, me ayudarás a deshacer los planes de Ahitófel, 35 pues allí cuentas con los sacerdotes Sadoc y Abiatar. Por tanto, comunícales siempre todo lo que escuches en palacio. 36 Sus hijos Ahimaas y Jonatán también están allí, así que háganme saber por medio de ellos todo lo que sepan.
37 Y Husai, el amigo de David, llegó a Jerusalén en el momento en que Absalón hacía su entrada en la ciudad.
2 Samuel 15
Nueva Versión Internacional
2 Samuel 15
Nueva Versión Internacional
Absalón conspira contra David
15 Pasado algún tiempo, Absalón consiguió carros de combate, algunos caballos y una escolta de cincuenta soldados. 2 Se levantaba temprano y se ponía a la vera del camino, junto a la entrada de la ciudad. Cuando pasaba alguien que iba a ver al rey para resolver un pleito, Absalón lo llamaba y le preguntaba de qué pueblo venía. Aquel le decía de qué tribu israelita era 3 y Absalón aseguraba: «Tu demanda es muy justa, pero no habrá quien te escuche de parte del rey». 4 Enseguida añadía: «¡Ojalá me pusieran por juez en el país! Todo el que tuviera un pleito o una demanda vendría a mí y yo le haría justicia».
5 Además de esto, si alguien se acercaba para postrarse ante él, Absalón le tendía los brazos, lo abrazaba y lo saludaba con un beso. 6 Esto hacía Absalón con todos los israelitas que iban a ver al rey para que les resolviera algún asunto, y así fue ganándose el cariño del pueblo.
7 Al cabo de cuatro[a] años, Absalón dijo al rey:
—Permítame ir a Hebrón, a cumplir una promesa que hice al Señor. 8 Cuando vivía en Guesur de Aram, hice esta promesa: “Si el Señor me concede volver a Jerusalén, le ofreceré un sacrificio”.
9 —Vete tranquilo —respondió el rey.
Absalón emprendió la marcha a Hebrón, 10 pero al mismo tiempo envió mensajeros por todas las tribus de Israel con este mensaje: «Tan pronto como oigan el toque de trompeta, exclamen: “¡Absalón reina en Hebrón!”». 11 Además, desde Jerusalén llevó Absalón a doscientos invitados, los cuales lo acompañaron de buena fe y sin sospechar nada. 12 Luego, mientras celebraba los sacrificios, Absalón mandó llamar a un consejero de su padre David, el cual se llamaba Ajitofel y era del pueblo de Guiló. Así la conspiración fue tomando fuerza, y el número de los que seguían a Absalón crecía más y más.
13 Un mensajero llevó a David esta noticia: «Todos los israelitas se han puesto de parte de Absalón».
14 Entonces David dijo a todos los oficiales que estaban con él en Jerusalén:
—¡Vámonos de aquí! Tenemos que huir, pues de otro modo no podremos escapar de Absalón. Démonos prisa, no sea que él se nos adelante. Si nos alcanza, nos traerá la ruina y pasará a toda la gente a filo de espada.
15 —Como diga Su Majestad —respondieron los oficiales—; nosotros estamos para servirle.
16 De inmediato partió el rey acompañado de toda la corte, con excepción de diez concubinas[b] que dejó para cuidar el palacio. 17 Habiendo salido del palacio con todo su séquito, se detuvo junto a la casa más lejana de la ciudad. 18 Todos sus oficiales se pusieron a su lado. Entonces los quereteos y los peleteos, y seiscientos guititas que lo habían seguido desde Gat, desfilaron ante el rey.
19 El rey se dirigió a Itay el guitita:
—¿Y tú por qué vienes con nosotros? Regresa y quédate con el rey Absalón, ya que eres extranjero y has sido desterrado de tu propio país. 20 ¿Cómo voy a dejar que nos acompañes, si acabas de llegar y ni yo mismo sé a dónde vamos? Regresa y llévate a tus paisanos. ¡Y que el amor y la fidelidad de Dios te acompañen!
21 Pero Itay respondió al rey:
—¡Tan cierto como que el Señor vive, y tan cierto como que mi señor el rey vive, le aseguro que, para vida o para muerte, iré adondequiera que usted vaya!
22 —Está bien —contestó David—, ven con nosotros.
Así que Itay el guitita marchó con todos los hombres de David y con las familias que lo acompañaban.
23 Todo el pueblo lloraba a gritos mientras David pasaba con su gente y, cuando el rey cruzó el arroyo de Cedrón, toda la gente comenzó la marcha hacia el desierto.
24 Entre ellos se encontraba también Sadoc, con los levitas que llevaban el arca del pacto de Dios. Estos hicieron descansar el arca en el suelo, y Abiatar ofreció sacrificios[c] hasta que toda la gente terminó de salir de la ciudad.
25 Luego dijo el rey al sacerdote Sadoc:
—Devuelve el arca de Dios a la ciudad. Si cuento con el favor del Señor, él hará que yo regrese y vuelva a ver el arca y el lugar donde él reside. 26 Pero si él me hace saber que no le agrado, quedo a su merced y puede hacer conmigo lo que mejor le parezca.
27 También dijo:
—Como tú eres vidente, puedes volver tranquilo a la ciudad con Abiatar, y llevarte contigo a tu hijo Ajimaz y a Jonatán, hijo de Abiatar. 28 Yo me quedaré en las llanuras del desierto hasta que ustedes me informen de la situación.
29 Entonces Sadoc y Abiatar volvieron a Jerusalén con el arca de Dios y allí se quedaron.
30 David, por su parte, subió al monte de los Olivos llorando, con la cabeza cubierta y los pies descalzos. También todos los que lo acompañaban se cubrieron la cabeza y subieron llorando. 31 En eso informaron a David que Ajitofel se había unido a la conspiración de Absalón. Entonces David oró: «Señor, te ruego que fracasen los planes de Ajitofel».
32 Cuando David llegó a la cumbre del monte, donde se adoraba a Dios, se encontró con Husay, el arquita, que en señal de duelo llevaba las vestiduras rasgadas y la cabeza cubierta de tierra. 33 David le dijo:
—Si vienes conmigo, vas a serme una carga. 34 Es mejor que regreses a la ciudad y le digas a Absalón: “Majestad, estoy a su servicio. Antes fui siervo de su padre, pero ahora lo soy de usted”. De ese modo podrás ayudarme a desbaratar los planes de Ajitofel. 35 Allí contarás con los sacerdotes Sadoc y Abiatar, así que mantenlos informados de todo lo que escuches en el palacio real. 36 También contarás con Ajimaz, hijo de Sadoc, y con Jonatán, hijo de Abiatar; comuníquenme ustedes por medio de ellos cualquier cosa que averigüen.
37 Husay, que era amigo de David, llegó a Jerusalén en el momento en que Absalón entraba en la ciudad.
2 Samuel 15
New American Standard Bible
2 Samuel 15
New American Standard Bible
Absalom’s Conspiracy
15 Now it came about after this that (A)Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men [a]to run ahead of him. 2 And Absalom used to rise early and (B)stand beside the road to the gate; and when any man who had a lawsuit was to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call out to him and say, “From what city are you?” And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “See, (C)your [b]claims are good and right, but you have no one to listen to you on the part of the king.” 4 Moreover, Absalom would say, “(D)Oh that someone would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has a lawsuit or claim could come to me, and I would give him justice!” 5 And whenever a man approached to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and (E)kiss him. 6 Absalom dealt this way with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; (F)so Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
7 Now it came about at the end of [c]four years that Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow which I have made to the Lord, in (G)Hebron. 8 For your servant (H)made a vow while I was living in Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘(I)If the Lord will indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’” 9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he got up and went to Hebron. 10 But Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘(J)Absalom is king in Hebron!’” 11 Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, (K)who were invited and (L)went [d]innocently, for they did not know anything. 12 And Absalom sent for (M)Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city (N)Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for (O)the people continually increased with Absalom.
David Flees Jerusalem
13 Then a messenger came to David, saying, “(P)The hearts of the people of Israel are [e]with Absalom.” 14 So David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, “(Q)Arise and let’s flee, for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom. Go quickly, or he will hurry and overtake us, and bring disaster on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 Then the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants will do whatever my lord the king chooses.” 16 So the king left, and all his household [f]with him; but (R)the king left ten concubines behind to take care of the house. 17 The king left, and all the people [g]with him, and they stopped at the last house. 18 Now all of his servants passed by beside him, and (S)all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, (T)six hundred men who had come [h]with him from Gath, passed by before the king.
19 Then the king said to (U)Ittai the Gittite, “Why should you go with us too? Return and stay with [i]your king, since you are a foreigner and an exile as well; return to your own place. 20 You came only yesterday, so should I make you wander with us today, while (V)I go wherever I go? Return and take your brothers back; (W)mercy and [j]truth be with you.” 21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, (X)wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there assuredly shall your servant be!” 22 Then David said to Ittai, “Go and cross over the brook Kidron.” So Ittai the Gittite crossed over with all his men and all the [k]little ones who were with him. 23 While all the country was weeping with a loud voice, all the people were crossing over. The king was also crossing over (Y)the brook Kidron, and all the people were crossing over toward (Z)the way of the wilderness.
24 Now behold, (AA)Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, (AB)carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and (AC)Abiathar came up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city. 25 And the king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then (AD)He will bring me back and show me both it and (AE)His habitation. 26 But if He says this: ‘(AF)I have no delight in you,’ then here I am, (AG)let Him do to me as seems good [l]to Him.” 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not (AH)a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your (AI)two sons with you, your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 See, I am going to wait (AJ)at the river crossing places of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and remained there.
30 And David was going up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, and (AK)his head was covered, and he was walking (AL)barefoot. Then all the people who were with him each covered his own head, and they were going up, weeping as they went. 31 Now someone informed David, saying, “(AM)Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “Lord, please (AN)make the advice of Ahithophel foolish.”
32 It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the (AO)Archite met him with his [m]coat torn, and [n]dust on his head. 33 And David said to him, “If you go over with me, then you will become (AP)a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city and (AQ)say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; even as I was your father’s servant in time past, so now I will also be your servant,’ then you can foil the advice of Ahithophel for me. 35 Are Zadok and Abiathar the priests not with you there? So it shall be that (AR)whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Behold (AS)their two sons are there with them, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and (AT)by them you shall send me everything that you hear.” 37 So Hushai, (AU)David’s friend, came into the city, and (AV)Absalom came into Jerusalem.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 15:1 Lit as runners ahead
- 2 Samuel 15:3 Lit words
- 2 Samuel 15:7 As in some ancient versions; MT forty
- 2 Samuel 15:11 Lit in their integrity
- 2 Samuel 15:13 Lit after
- 2 Samuel 15:16 Lit at his feet
- 2 Samuel 15:17 Lit at his feet
- 2 Samuel 15:18 Lit at his feet
- 2 Samuel 15:19 Lit the king
- 2 Samuel 15:20 Or faithfulness
- 2 Samuel 15:22 I.e., children; here, families of the men
- 2 Samuel 15:26 Lit in His sight
- 2 Samuel 15:32 Or tunic
- 2 Samuel 15:32 Lit earth
2 Samuel 15
King James Version
2 Samuel 15
King James Version
15 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3 And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
4 Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
5 And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
6 And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron.
8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.
9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
11 And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
14 And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
32 And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
33 Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
36 Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
37 So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 15
New International Version
2 Samuel 15
New International Version
Absalom’s Conspiracy
15 In the course of time,(A) Absalom provided himself with a chariot(B) and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him. 2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate.(C) Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.”(D) 4 And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land!(E) Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”
5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts(F) of the people of Israel.
7 At the end of four[a] years, Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the Lord. 8 While your servant was living at Geshur(G) in Aram, I made this vow:(H) ‘If the Lord takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the Lord in Hebron.[b]’”
9 The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he went to Hebron.
10 Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets,(I) then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’” 11 Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter. 12 While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel(J) the Gilonite, David’s counselor,(K) to come from Giloh,(L) his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.(M)
David Flees
13 A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”
14 Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee,(N) or none of us will escape from Absalom.(O) We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.”
15 The king’s officials answered him, “Your servants are ready to do whatever our lord the king chooses.”
16 The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines(P) to take care of the palace. 17 So the king set out, with all the people following him, and they halted at the edge of the city. 18 All his men marched past him, along with all the Kerethites(Q) and Pelethites; and all the six hundred Gittites who had accompanied him from Gath marched before the king.
19 The king said to Ittai(R) the Gittite, “Why should you come along with us? Go back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner,(S) an exile from your homeland. 20 You came only yesterday. And today shall I make you wander(T) about with us, when I do not know where I am going? Go back, and take your people with you. May the Lord show you kindness and faithfulness.”[c](U)
21 But Ittai replied to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.”(V)
22 David said to Ittai, “Go ahead, march on.” So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and the families that were with him.
23 The whole countryside wept aloud(W) as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley,(X) and all the people moved on toward the wilderness.
24 Zadok(Y) was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark(Z) of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar(AA) 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(AB) 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.(AC)”
27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Do you understand?(AD) Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan.(AE) You and Abiathar return with your two sons. 28 I will wait at the fords(AF) 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.
30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping(AG) as he went; his head(AH) was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. 31 Now David had been told, “Ahithophel(AI) is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”
32 When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai(AJ) the Arkite(AK) was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust(AL) on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be a burden(AM) to me. 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’(AN) then you can help me by frustrating(AO) Ahithophel’s advice. 35 Won’t the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king’s palace.(AP) 36 Their two sons, Ahimaaz(AQ) son of Zadok and Jonathan(AR) son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear.”
37 So Hushai,(AS) David’s confidant, arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom(AT) was entering the city.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 15:7 Some Septuagint manuscripts, Syriac and Josephus; Hebrew forty
- 2 Samuel 15:8 Some Septuagint manuscripts; Hebrew does not have in Hebron.
- 2 Samuel 15:20 Septuagint; Hebrew May kindness and faithfulness be with you
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