28. See, I will wait at the fords [at the Jordan] of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.
29. Zadok, therefore, and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem and they stayed there.
30. And David went up over the Mount of Olives and wept as he went, barefoot and his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, weeping as they went.
31. David was told, Ahithophel [your counselor] is among the conspirators with Absalom. David said, O Lord, I pray You, turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness.
32. When David came to the summit [of Olivet], where he worshiped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent and earth upon his head.
33. David said to him, If you go with me, you will be a burden to me.
34. But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, I will be your servant, O king; as I have been your father's servant in the past, so will I be your servant now, then you may defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.
35. Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be with you? So whatever you hear from the king's house, just tell it to [them].
36. Behold, their two sons are there with them, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them send to me everything you hear.
37. So Hushai, David's friend, returned, and Absalom also came into Jerusalem.