2 Samuel 15

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

After this, Absalom, filled with ambition and pride, readied his chariots and horses, and gathered fifty men to lead his procession.

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.

Absalom woke up early, positioning himself by the city gate. Whenever someone with a dispute approached the king for justice, Absalom would intercept them, asking, "Which city are you from?" When they'd reply, "I am a servant from one of Israel's tribes," Absalom's interest was piqued.

And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.

Absalom told him, "Your concerns are valid and just, but sadly, there's no one appointed by the king to listen to you."

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!

Absalom expressed his longing, "If only I could be the judge of this land! I wish every person with a problem could come to me, and I would ensure they receive fair treatment!"

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.

Whenever anyone approached him with respect, he would warmly reach out, embrace them, and plant a tender kiss on them.

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.

In this way, Absalom treated everyone in Israel who came to the king for justice. Thus, Absalom won over the hearts of the people of Israel.

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.

After four long decades, Absalom pleaded with the king, "Please, let me go to Hebron to fulfill the promise I made to the LORD."

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.

In my humble days in Geshur, Syria, I made a heartfelt promise. I pledged, if God truly guides me back to Jerusalem, I will devote my life to serving Him.

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

With a gentle smile, the king bid him, "Depart in serenity." Stirred by these words, he stood up and journeyed towards Hebron.

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.

Absalom secretly sent messengers across Israel. Their message was simple: when the trumpet sounds, declare that Absalom is now king in Hebron.

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.

Absalom, brimming with charisma, led two hundred innocent men from Jerusalem. Unaware of his true intentions, they followed him in their pure-hearted trust.

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.

Absalom, filled with ambition, summoned Ahithophel, David's trusted advisor, from his hometown of Giloh, even as he performed sacred rituals. The plot thickened, gaining strength as more people rallied behind Absalom.

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

A messenger rushed to David, breathlessly reporting, "David, the men of Israel's hearts now beat for Absalom."

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.

David urgently told his servants in Jerusalem, "We must run! Absalom is coming. If we don't leave now, he'll catch us, harm us, and destroy our city."

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

The king's aides, with loyalty in their eyes, assured him, "We stand ready, dear king, to fulfill any task you set for us."

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

The king, followed by his entire family, bravely ventured out. He left behind ten devoted concubines, entrusted with the care of his home.

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

The king led the way, his people trailing behind him, and they stopped at a place some way off, at the last house of the city.

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.

Every one of his loyal followers, including the Cherethites, Pelethites, and the 600 Gittites from Gath, faithfully marched ahead of the king, showing their unwavering support and dedication.

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.

The king turned to Ittai the Gittite, asking, "Why do you choose to journey with us? Go back to your home, stay with your king. You are a foreigner, an outsider here."

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.

Just yesterday you arrived, should I make you journey with us today, when even I don't know where I'm headed? Go back, take your brothers with you. May kindness and honesty accompany you.

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.

Ittai passionately assured the king, "By God's life and yours, my king, I promise to stay by your side, in life or death, wherever you may be. I am your loyal servant."

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.

David gently told Ittai, "Please, move forward." With a nod, Ittai the Gittite bravely led his men and the innocent children in their care across.

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.

The entire nation cried out in sorrow, as everyone, including the king, crossed over the brook Kidron, heading towards the wilderness.

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.

Zadok and all the Levites, filled with reverence, carried God's sacred covenant ark. They gently placed it down, as Abiathar patiently waited, until every last person had safely left the city.

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:

The king pleaded with Zadok, "Return God's sacred ark to the city. If God looks upon me with favor, He will guide me back, allowing me to see both the ark and His dwelling place."

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.

If he says he finds no joy in me, then here I am. Let him treat me as he sees fit.

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.

The king turned to Zadok the priest and asked, "Aren't you a seer? Go back to the city in peace, and take your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son."

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

I'll patiently wait in the vast, empty desert, longing for your message to guide and reassure me.

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

Zadok and Abiathar, filled with reverence, returned the sacred Ark of God to Jerusalem, where they stayed, awed and humbled.

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.

David climbed Mount Olivet, tears streaming down his face. His head was covered, his feet bare. His followers, too, hid their faces and wept openly, their hearts heavy with sorrow.

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.

Someone informed David, "Ahithophel has joined Absalom's plot against you." Distressed, David pleaded to God, "Please, make Ahithophel's advice seem foolish."

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:

When David reached the peak of the mountain, a sacred place where he connected with God, he was met by Hushai the Archite. Hushai's coat was torn and he had dirt on his head, a clear sign of distress and sorrow.

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

David told him, "If you come with me, you'll only slow me down."

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.

If you go back to the city and tell Absalom, 'I'm here to serve you, my king, just as I served your father before,' you can help me thwart Ahithophel's plans.

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.

Don't you have Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, with you? So, whatever you hear from the king's house, share it with them.

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.

Look, they have their two sons with them, Ahimaaz, son of Zadok, and Jonathan, son of Abiathar. Through them, you'll relay to me all the news you hear.

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

David's loyal friend, Hushai, entered the city quietly, while Absalom, filled with ambition, made his grand entrance into Jerusalem.