8. I made a vow while I was living at Geshur in Aram. I said, ‘If the Lord will bring me back to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord.’ ”
9. “Go in peace,” the king told him.So he went to Hebron.
10. But Absalom sent his loyal supporters to all the tribes of Israel and said, “When you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, say, ‘Absalom has become king in Hebron.’ ”
11. Two hundred men invited from Jerusalem went with Absalom. They went innocently, knowing nothing ⌊about Absalom’s plans⌋.
12. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, David’s adviser, to come from his home in Giloh. Meanwhile, the conspiracy grew stronger, and the number of people siding with Absalom kept getting larger.
13. Someone came to tell David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”
14. David told all his men who were with him in Jerusalem, “Let’s flee immediately, or none of us will escape from Absalom. Let’s leave right away, or he’ll catch up to us and bring disaster on us when he massacres the city.”
15. The king’s servants told him, “No matter what happens, we are Your Majesty’s servants.”
16. The king left on foot, and his whole household followed him except ten concubines whom the king left behind to take care of the palace.
17. As the king and his troops were leaving the city on foot, they stopped at the last house.