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Now therefore let not my lord the king so take it to heart as to suppose that all the king's sons are dead; for Amnon alone is dead."

And Jon'adab said to the king, "Behold, the king's sons have come; as your servant said, so it has come about."

So Ab'salom fled, and went to Geshur, and was there three years.

and go to the king, and speak thus to him." So Jo'ab put the words in her mouth.

And now the whole family has risen against your handmaid, and they say, 'Give up the man who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother whom he slew'; and so they would destroy the heir also. Thus they would quench my coal which is left, and leave to my husband neither name nor remnant upon the face of the earth."

So Jo'ab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Ab'salom to Jerusalem.

And the king said, "Let him dwell apart in his own house; he is not to come into my presence." So Ab'salom dwelt apart in his own house, and did not come into the king's presence.

Now in all Israel there was no one so much to be praised for his beauty as Ab'salom; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

So Ab'salom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, without coming into the king's presence.

Then he said to his servants, "See, Jo'ab's field is next to mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire." So Ab'salom's servants set the field on fire.

Then Jo'ab went to the king, and told him; and he summoned Ab'salom. So he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king; and the king kissed Ab'salom.

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.

The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he arose, and went to Hebron.

So the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house.

And David said to It'tai, "Go then, pass on." So It'tai the Gittite passed on, with all his men and all the little ones who were with him.

So Zadok and Abi'athar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem; and they remained there.

But if you return to the city, and say to Ab'salom, 'I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant in time past, so now I will be your servant,' then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahith'ophel.

Are not Zadok and Abi'athar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king's house, tell it to Zadok and Abi'athar the priests.

So Hushai, David's friend, came into the city, just as Ab'salom was entering Jerusalem.

But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeru'iah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David,' who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"