3. Absalom would say to him, Your claims are good and right, but there is no man appointed as the king's agent to hear you.
4. Absalom added, Oh, that I were judge in the land! Then every man with any suit or cause might come to me and I would do him justice!
5. And whenever a man came near to do obeisance to him, he would put out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him.
6. Thus Absalom did to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7. And after [four] years, Absalom said to the king, I pray you, let me go to Hebron [his birthplace] and pay my vow to the Lord.
8. For your servant vowed while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, If the Lord will bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord [by offering a sacrifice].
9. And the king said to him, Go in peace. So he arose and went to Hebron.
10. But Absalom sent secret messengers throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then say, Absalom is king at Hebron.
11. With Absalom went 200 men from Jerusalem, who were invited [as guests to his sacrificial feast]; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not a thing.
12. And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city Giloh. And the conspiracy was strong; the people with Absalom increased continually.
13. And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.