Study Desk

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

And Absolom used to rise up early, and take his stand beside the way of the gate, - and so it was - when any man who had a controversy would come unto the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said: Of what city, art, thou? And he said, Of one of the tribes of Israel, is thy servant. And Absolom said unto him,

See! thy cause, is good and right, - but, to hear it, thou hast no one, from the king.

And Absalom said, Oh would that I were appointed to judge in the land! that, unto me, might come every man having a complaint or a defence, then would I see him righted.

Moreover, so it used to be, that, when any man came near to do him homage, he would put forth his hand, and lay hold of him, and kiss him.

And Absolom did, after this manner, to all Israel who came for judgment, unto the king, - so Absolom stole away the heart of the men of Israel.

And it came to pass, at the end of forty years, that Absolom said unto the king - Let me go, I pray thee, that I may pay my vow which I have vowed unto Yahweh, in Hebron;

for thy servant vowed, a vow, while I abode in Geshur in Syria, saying, - If Yahweh, will but bring me back, unto Jerusalem, then will I serve Yahweh,

And the king said unto him - Go and prosper! So he arose and went to Hebron.

And Absolom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, - When ye hear the sound of the horn, then shall ye say, Absolom hath become king in Hebron!

And, with Absolom, went two hundred men, out of Jerusalem, who, having been bidden, were going in their simplicity, - neither knew they anything.

And Absalom sent and called Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, out of his city, out of Gilo, when he was offering sacrifices, - and so it was that the conspiracy was strong, and, the people, went on multiplying with Absolom.