Brenton(i)
1 And it came to pass after this that Abessalom prepared for himself chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2 And Abessalom rose early, and stood by the side of the way of the gate: and it came to pass that every man who had a cause, came to the king for judgment, and Abessalom cried to him, and said to him, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3 And Abessalom said to him, See, thy affairs are right and clear, yet thou hast no one appointed of the king to hear thee.
4 And Abessalom said, O that one would make me a judge in the land; then every man who had a dispute or a cause would come to me, and I would judge him!
5 And it came to pass when a man came near to do him obeisance, that he stretched out his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him.
6 And Abessalom did after this manner to all Israel that came to the king for judgement; and Abessalom gained the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 And it came to pass after forty years, that Abessalom said to his father, I will go now, and pay my vows, which I vowed to the Lord in Chebron.
8 For thy servant vowed a vow when I dwelt at Gedsur in Syria, saying, If the Lord should indeed restore me to Jerusalem, then will I serve the Lord.
9 And the king said to him, Go in peace. And he arose and went to Chebron.
10 And Abessalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, When ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then shall ye say, Abessalom is become king in Chebron.
11 And there went with Abessalom two hundred chosen men from Jerusalem; and they went in their simplicity, and knew not anything.
12 And Abessalom sent to Achitophel the Theconite, the counsellor of David, from his city, from Gola, where he was sacrificing: and there was a strong conspiracy; and the people with Abessalom were increasingly numerous.
13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, the heart of the men of Israel is gone after Abessalom.
14 And David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, Rise, and let us flee, for we have no refuge from Abessalom: make haste and go, lest he overtake us speedily, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
15 And the king's servants said to the king, In all things which our lord the king chooses, behold we are thy servants.
16 And the king and all his house went out on foot: and the king left ten women of his concubines to keep the house.
17 And the king and all his servants went out on foot; and abode in a distant house.
18 And all his servants passed on by his side, and every Chelethite, and every Phelethite, and they stood by the olive tree in the wilderness: and all the people marched near him, and all his court, and all the men of might, and all the men of war, six hundred: and they were present at his side: and every Chelethite, and every Phelethite, and all the six hundred Gittites that came on foot out of Geth, and they went on before the king.