7. And at the end of a predetermined period of forty years, it came to pass that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go to Hebron and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord.
8. For thy slave vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.
9. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose and went to Hebron.
10. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the shofar, then ye shall say, Absalom reigns in Hebron.
11. And two hundred men of Jerusalem went with Absalom, that were invited by him, and they went in their integrity, without knowing anything.
12. Absalom also sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, of David’s counsel, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom.
13. And the word came to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
14. Then David said unto all his slaves that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee, for we shall not otherwise escape from Absalom; make speed to depart lest he overtake us suddenly and bring evil upon us and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
15. And the king’s slaves said unto the king, Behold, thy slaves are ready to do whatever my lord the king shall choose.
16. And the king went forth and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.
17. And the king went forth and all the people after him and stopped in a place that was far off.
18. And all his slaves passed to his side, and all the Cherethites and all the Pelethites and all the Gittites, six hundred men who had come on foot with him from Gath, went before the king.
19. Then the king said to Ittai, the Gittite, Why dost thou also go with us? Return to thy place and abide with the king; for thou art a stranger and also an exile.
20. Whereas thou didst come but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? Seeing I go where I go, return thou and take back thy brethren; mercy and truth are in thee.
21. And Ittai answered the king and said, As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, for life or for death, wherever my lord the king shall be, there also will thy slave be.
22. Then David said to Ittai, Go, therefore, and pass. And Ittai, the Gittite, passed and all his men and all the little ones that were with him.
23. And all those of the land wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed the brook Kidron; and then the king also passed, and all the people passed unto the way of the wilderness.