1. Then, after these things, Absalom obtained for himself chariots, and horsemen, and fifty men who went before him.
2. And rising up in the morning, Absalom was standing beside the entrance of the gate. And when there was any man who had a dispute that might go before the king's judgment, Absalom would call him to him, and would say, "Which city are you from?" And responding, he would say, "I am your servant, from a certain tribe of Israel."
3. And Absalom would answer him: "Your words seem good and just to me. But there is no one appointed by the king to hear you." And Absalom would say:
4. "Who may appoint me judge over the land, so that all those who have a dispute might come to me, and I might judge justly."
5. Then too, when a man would draw near to him, so that he might greet him, he would extend his hand, and taking hold of him, he would kiss him.
6. And he was doing this to all those of Israel arriving for judgment to be heard by the king. And he solicited the hearts of the men of Israel.
7. Then, after forty years, Absalom said to king David: "I should go and pay my vows, which I have vowed to the Lord at Hebron.
8. For your servant made a vow, when he was in Geshur of Syria, saying: If the Lord will lead me back to Jerusalem, I will sacrifice to the Lord."