24. Zadok and all the Levites with him were carrying the Ark of the Covenant with God. They set down the Ark of the Covenant. And Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had left the city.
25. The king said to Zadok, “Take the Ark of the Covenant of God back into the city. If the Lord is pleased with me, he will bring me back. He will let me see both it and Jerusalem again.
26. But if the Lord says he is not pleased with me, I am ready. He can do what he wants with me.”
27. The king also said to Zadok the priest, “You are a seer. Go back to the city in peace. Take your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan with you.
28. I will wait near the crossings into the desert until I hear from you.”
29. So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of the Covenant of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
30. David went up the Mount of Olives crying as he went. He covered his head and went barefoot. All the people with David covered their heads also. And they were crying as they went.
31. Someone told David, “Ahithophel is one of the people with Absalom who made secret plans against you.”So David prayed, “Lord, please make Ahithophel’s advice foolish.”
32. David came to the top of the mountain. This was where he used to worship God. Hushai the Arkite came to meet him. Hushai’s coat was torn, and there was dirt on his head to show how sad he was.
33. David said to Hushai, “If you go with me, you will be just one more person to take care of.
34. But if you return to the city, you can make Ahithophel’s advice useless. Tell Absalom, ‘I am your servant, my king. In the past I served your father. But now I will serve you.’
35. The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be with you. You must tell them everything you hear in the king’s palace.