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2 Samuel 15 - New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

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Absalom’s Conspiracy

15 Now it came about after this that (A)Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men as runners before him. 2 Absalom used to rise early and (B)stand beside the way to the gate; and when any man had a suit to come to the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And he would say, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “See, (C)your [a]claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.” 4 Moreover, Absalom would say, “(D)Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.” 5 And when a man came near to prostrate himself before him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and (E)kiss him. 6 In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel who came to the king for judgment; (F)so Absalom stole away the hearts of the men of Israel.

7 Now it came about at the end of [b]forty years that Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow which I have vowed to the Lord, in (G)Hebron. 8 For your servant (H)vowed a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram, saying, ‘(I)If the Lord shall indeed bring me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’” 9 The king said to 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 you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘(J)Absalom is king in Hebron.’” 11 Then two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem, (K)who were invited and (L)went [c]innocently, and they did not know anything. 12 And Absalom sent for (M)Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city (N)Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for (O)the people increased continually with Absalom.

David Flees Jerusalem

13 Then a messenger came to David, saying, “(P)The hearts of the men of Israel are [d]with Absalom.” 14 David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “(Q)Arise and let us flee, for otherwise none of us will escape from Absalom. Go in haste, or he will overtake us quickly and bring down calamity on us and strike the city with the edge of the sword.” 15 Then the king’s servants said to the king, “Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses.” 16 So the king went out and all his household [e]with him. But (R)the king left ten concubines to keep the house. 17 The king went out and all the people [f]with him, and they stopped at the last house. 18 Now all his servants passed on beside him, (S)all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, (T)six hundred men who had come [g]with him from Gath, passed on before the king.

19 Then the king said to (U)Ittai the Gittite, “Why will you also go with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place. 20 You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander with us, while (V)I go where I will? Return and take back your brothers; (W)mercy and [h]truth be with you.” 21 But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely (X)wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.” 22 Therefore David said to Ittai, “Go and pass over.” So Ittai the Gittite passed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him. 23 While all the country was weeping with a loud voice, all the people passed over. The king also passed over (Y)the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over toward (Z)the way of the wilderness.

24 Now behold, (AA)Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him (AB)carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and (AC)Abiathar came up until all the people had finished passing from the city. 25 The king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then (AD)He will bring me back again and show me both it and (AE)His habitation. 26 But if He should say thus, ‘(AF)I have no delight in you,’ behold, here I am, (AG)let Him do to me as seems good [i]to Him.” 27 The king said also to Zadok the priest, “Are you not (AH)a seer? Return to the city in peace and your (AI)two sons with you, your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. 28 See, I am going to wait (AJ)at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 Therefore Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and remained there.

30 And David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went, and (AK)his head was covered and he walked (AL)barefoot. Then all the people who were with him each covered his head and went up weeping as they went. 31 Now someone told David, saying, “(AM)Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, (AN)make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness.”

32 It happened as David was coming to the summit, where God was worshiped, that behold, Hushai the (AO)Archite met him with his [j]coat torn and [k]dust on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you pass over with me, then you will be (AP)a burden to me. 34 But if you return to the city, and (AQ)say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father’s servant in time past, so I will now be your servant,’ then you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me. 35 Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So it shall be that (AR)whatever you hear from the king’s house, you shall report to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. 36 Behold (AS)their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok’s son and Jonathan, Abiathar’s son; and (AT)by them you shall send me everything that you hear.” 37 So Hushai, (AU)David’s friend, came into the city, and (AV)Absalom came into Jerusalem.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 15:3 Lit words
  2. 2 Samuel 15:7 Some ancient versions render four
  3. 2 Samuel 15:11 Lit in their integrity
  4. 2 Samuel 15:13 Lit after
  5. 2 Samuel 15:16 Lit at his feet
  6. 2 Samuel 15:17 Lit at his feet
  7. 2 Samuel 15:18 Lit at his feet
  8. 2 Samuel 15:20 Or faithfulness
  9. 2 Samuel 15:26 Lit in His sight
  10. 2 Samuel 15:32 Or tunic
  11. 2 Samuel 15:32 Lit ground

Cross references

  1. 2 Samuel 15:1 : 1 Kin 1:5
  2. 2 Samuel 15:2 : Ruth 4:1; 2 Sam 19:8
  3. 2 Samuel 15:3 : Prov 12:2
  4. 2 Samuel 15:4 : Judg 9:29
  5. 2 Samuel 15:5 : 2 Sam 14:33; 20:9
  6. 2 Samuel 15:6 : Rom 16:18
  7. 2 Samuel 15:7 : 2 Sam 3:2, 3
  8. 2 Samuel 15:8 : 2 Sam 13:37, 38
  9. 2 Samuel 15:8 : Gen 28:20, 21
  10. 2 Samuel 15:10 : 1 Kin 1:34; 2 Kin 9:13
  11. 2 Samuel 15:11 : 1 Sam 9:13
  12. 2 Samuel 15:11 : 1 Sam 22:15
  13. 2 Samuel 15:12 : 2 Sam 15:31
  14. 2 Samuel 15:12 : Josh 15:51
  15. 2 Samuel 15:12 : Ps 3:1
  16. 2 Samuel 15:13 : Judg 9:3; 2 Sam 15:6
  17. 2 Samuel 15:14 : 2 Sam 12:11; Ps 3: title
  18. 2 Samuel 15:16 : 2 Sam 16:21, 22
  19. 2 Samuel 15:18 : 2 Sam 8:18
  20. 2 Samuel 15:18 : 1 Sam 23:13; 25:13; 30:1, 9
  21. 2 Samuel 15:19 : 2 Sam 18:2
  22. 2 Samuel 15:20 : 1 Sam 23:13
  23. 2 Samuel 15:20 : 2 Sam 2:6
  24. 2 Samuel 15:21 : Ruth 1:16, 17; Prov 17:17
  25. 2 Samuel 15:23 : 1 Kin 15:13; 2 Chr 29:16
  26. 2 Samuel 15:23 : 2 Sam 15:28; 16:2
  27. 2 Samuel 15:24 : 2 Sam 8:17; 20:25
  28. 2 Samuel 15:24 : Num 4:15; 1 Sam 4:4, 5
  29. 2 Samuel 15:24 : 1 Sam 22:20
  30. 2 Samuel 15:25 : Ps 43:3
  31. 2 Samuel 15:25 : Ex 15:13; Jer 25:30
  32. 2 Samuel 15:26 : 2 Sam 11:27; 1 Chr 21:7
  33. 2 Samuel 15:26 : 1 Sam 3:18
  34. 2 Samuel 15:27 : 1 Sam 9:6-9
  35. 2 Samuel 15:27 : 2 Sam 17:17
  36. 2 Samuel 15:28 : Josh 5:10; 2 Sam 17:16
  37. 2 Samuel 15:30 : Esth 6:12; Ezek 24:17, 23
  38. 2 Samuel 15:30 : Is 20:2-4
  39. 2 Samuel 15:31 : 2 Sam 15:12
  40. 2 Samuel 15:31 : 2 Sam 16:23; 17:14, 23
  41. 2 Samuel 15:32 : Josh 16:2
  42. 2 Samuel 15:33 : 2 Sam 19:35
  43. 2 Samuel 15:34 : 2 Sam 16:19
  44. 2 Samuel 15:35 : 2 Sam 17:15, 16
  45. 2 Samuel 15:36 : 2 Sam 15:27
  46. 2 Samuel 15:36 : 2 Sam 17:17
  47. 2 Samuel 15:37 : 2 Sam 16:16; 1 Chr 27:33
  48. 2 Samuel 15:37 : 2 Sam 16:15

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2 Samuel 15 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

15 And it cometh to pass afterwards, that Absalom prepareth for himself a chariot, and horses, and fifty men are running before him; 2 and Absalom hath risen early, and stood by the side of the way of the gate, and it cometh to pass, every man who hath a pleading to come unto the king for judgment, ...
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2 Samuel 15 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

15 Therefore after these things, Absalom made a chariot to him, and (had) knights and fifty men, that should go before him. (And so after these things, Absalom got a chariot and horses for himself, and had fifty men who went before him.) 2 And Absalom rose early, and stood beside the entering of the...
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2 Samuel 15 - World English Bible (WEB)

15 After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. When any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called to him, and said, “What city are you from?”He sai...
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2 Samuel 15 - The Voice (VOICE)

15 After this, Absalom acquired a chariot and horses, and he hired 50 men to run ahead of him. 2 Now Absalom made it a practice to rise early and stand beside the road leading into one of Jerusalem’s gates. When someone came along who wanted to petition the king, he would ask, “What is your city?” ...
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2 Samuel 15 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Absalom’s Revolt15 Now it came about after this that Absalom provided himself with a chariot, horses and 50 men as runners before him. 2 Absalom used to rise up early and stand beside the road to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a suit to come to the king for justice, then Absalom would call to hi...
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2 Samuel 15 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Absalom Usurps the Throne15 After this Ab′salom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Ab′salom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate; and when any man had a suit to come before the king for judgment, Ab′salom would call to him, and say, “From wha...
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2 Samuel 15 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Absalom Usurps the Throne15 After this Ab′salom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 And Ab′salom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate; and when any man had a suit to come before the king for judgment, Ab′salom would call to him, and say, “From wha...
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2 Samuel 15 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Absalom Usurps the Throne15 After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run ahead of him. 2 Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the road into the gate; and when anyone brought a suit before the king for judgement, Absalom would call out and say, ‘From what city are...
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2 Samuel 15 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Absalom Usurps the Throne15 After this Absalom provided for himself a chariot and horses and fifty men to run ahead of him.(A)2 Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the road into the gate, and when anyone brought a suit before the king for judgment, Absalom would call out and say, “From what ...
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2 Samuel 15 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Absalom’s Rebellion15 After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. 2 He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and t...
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2 Samuel 15 - New Life Version (NLV)

Absalom Becomes Friends with Men Of Israel15 After this, Absalom got a war-wagon and horses, and fifty men to run in front of him. 2 He used to get up early and stand beside the way to the gate. When any man had a problem to be decided upon by the king, Absalom would call to him and say, “What city...
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2 Samuel 15 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Absalom’s Treason15 After this (A)it happened that Absalom (B)provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. 2 Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate. So it was, whenever anyone who had a (C)lawsuit[a] came to the king for a decision, that Abs...
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2 Samuel 15 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Absalom’s conspiracy15 In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him. 2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decis...
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2 Samuel 15 - New International Version (NIV)

Absalom’s Conspiracy15 In the course of time,(A) Absalom provided himself with a chariot(B) and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him. 2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate.(C) Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for...
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2 Samuel 15 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Absalom Makes Secret Plans Against David15 Some time later, Absalom got a chariot and horses for himself. He also got 50 men to run in front of him. 2 He would get up early. He would stand by the side of the road that led to the city gate. Sometimes a person would come with a case for the king to d...
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2 Samuel 15 - New English Translation (NET)

Absalom Leads an Insurrection against David15 Some time later Absalom managed to acquire[a] a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard.[b] 2 Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint ...
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