2 Samuel, 15

1. And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

1. After this, Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, as well as 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.

2. Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the gateway. Whenever a man with a grievance came before the king's tribunal, Absalom would call to him and say, "From which city are you?" Should he say, "Your servant is from such and such a tribe in 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.

3. Absalom would tell him, "Your cause is good and just but there is no one to hear you on behalf of the king."

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!

4. Absalom added, "I wish I were judge in the land! Then every man with a grievance or cause could come to me and I would give 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.

5. Whenever a man approached to pay him homage, he would stretch out his arms to hold and embrace 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.

6. Absalom did this to all Israelites who came to the tribunal of the king, winning their hearts for himself.

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.

7. After four years, Absalom said to the king, "Please allow me to go and fulfill the vow I have to pay to Yahweh 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.

8. For while I lived at Geshur in Aram, I made this vow: 'If Yahweh will really bring me back to Jerusalem, I shall go there to worship him!"

9. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.

9. The king said to him, "Go in peace," and he left for 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.

10. Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this instruction, "As soon as you hear the trumpet sound, proclaim: 'Absalom is king 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.

11. Two hundred men from Jerusalem had left with Absalom as invited guests. But nothing of his purpose dawned on them.

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.

12. While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahitophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city Giloh. Meantime, the conspiracy grew strong and the number of people with Absalom kept increasing.

13. And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

13. A messenger came to report to David that the Israelites were siding with 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.

14. Then David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, "Let us flee, for we cannot resist Absalom. Go quickly, lest he come hurriedly and overtake us. Surely he will put the city to the sword if he can bring disaster upon us."

15. And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants [are ready to do] whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

15. The king's servants answered him, "Your servants are with you in whatever my lord the king decides."

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.

16. The king departed with all his household, but left ten concubines behind to take care of the house.

17. And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

17. The king left on foot and the people followed him. They stopped at the last house of the city and

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.

18. his servants marched past him, as well as the Cherethites, the Pelethites and all the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath, and went ahead of him.

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.

19. Then the king said to the commander, Ittai, the Gittite, "Why are you also coming with us? Go back and stay with your king, for you are a foreigner, an exile from your home.

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.

20. Are you setting out when you have just arrived? Shall I make you wander about with us? Go back, take your brothers with you and may Yahweh show you kindness and faithfulness.

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.

21. Ittai, however, answered the king, "As Yahweh lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether in life or in death, there also will your 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.

22. Then David said to Ittai,"Go then, march on." So Ittai the Gittite marched on with all his men and all the children who 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.

23. Meanwhile, all those in the countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. Then the king crossed the brook Kidron and all the people moved on to the desert.

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.

24. The priest Zadok came with all the Levites bearing the ark of the Covenant of God. They set down the ark of God where Abiathar stood until the people had all gone 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:

25. after which the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If Yahweh looks kindly on me, he will bring me back and allow me to again see the ark and its lodging place.

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.

26. But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,' I am here; let him do to me what seems good to 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.

27. The king also said to the priest Zadok, "See, better go back to the city in peace and take with you your son Ahimaaz, and Jonathan, son of Abiathar.

28. See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

28. I will wait in the desert fords until you send word for me."

29. Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

29. So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem and remained 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.

30. David himself went up the Mount of Olives, weeping. He was barefooted and had his head covered, and all the people who were with him had their heads covered and wept as they went.

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.

31. When David was informed that Ahitophel was among the conspirators with Absalom, he said, "O Yahweh, turn the counsel of Ahitophel into folly."

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:

32. When David reached the summit where God is worshiped, Hushai the Archite met him with his coat torn and dust strewn on his head.

33. Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

33. David said to him, "If you come with me, you will be a burden to 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.

34. It would be better for you to return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, O king! Just as I have been your father's servant in the past, I will now be your servant.' In that way you will be useful to me in thwarting the counsel of Ahitophel.

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.

35. The priests Zadok and Abiathar are there to help you. Report whatever you hear from the king's house.

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.

36. Both their sons are there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son, and you shall report to me through them everything you hear."

37. So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

37. So David's friend Hushai arrived in the city just as Absalom was entering Jerusalem.