2 Samuel 15:1-6

Revised Standard Version

Absalom Usurps the Throne

15 After this Ab′salom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. ² And Ab′salom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate; and when any man had a suit to come before the king for judgment, Ab′salom would call to him, and say, “From what city are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in Israel,” ³ Ab′salom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and right; but there is no man deputed by the king to hear you.” ⁴ Ab′salom said moreover, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a suit or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.” ⁵ And whenever a man came near to do obeisance to him, he would put out his hand, and take hold of him, and kiss him. ⁶ Thus Ab′salom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment; so Ab′salom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.