my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.
[23] So Joab arose and went
to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
[24] And the king said, Let him turn to his own house,
and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.
[25]
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his
foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
[26] And when he polled his head, (for
it was at every year's end that he polled it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he polled it:)
he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels after the king's weight.
[27] And unto Absalom
there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair
countenance.
[28] So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face.
[29] Therefore
Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent
again the second time, he would not come.
[30] Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field
is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on
fire.
[31] Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy
servants set my field on fire?
[32] And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come
hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good
for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in
me, let him kill me.
[33] So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom,
he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed
Absalom.
2Sam.15
[1] 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 counseller, 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