25. Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the Covenant Box back to the city. If the Lord is pleased with me, some day he will let me come back to see it and the place where it stays.
26. But if he isn't pleased with me — well, then, let him do to me what he wishes.”
27. And he went on to say to Zadok, “Look, take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan and go back to the city in peace.
28. Meanwhile, I will wait at the river crossings in the wilderness until I receive news from you.”
29. So Zadok and Abiathar took the Covenant Box back into Jerusalem and stayed there.
30. David went on up the Mount of Olives weeping; he was barefoot and had his head covered as a sign of grief. All who followed him covered their heads and wept also.
31. When David was told that Ahithophel had joined Absalom's rebellion, he prayed, “Please, Lord, turn Ahithophel's advice into nonsense!”