1. And it came to pass after this, that Avshalom prepared him merkavah and susim, and fifty ish to run before him.
2. And Avshalom rose up early, and stood beside the derech hasha'ar; and it was so, that when any ish that had a riv (lawsuit, complaint) came to HaMelech for mishpat, then Avshalom called unto him, and said, Of what town art thou? And he said, Thy eved is of one of the Shivtei Yisroel.
3. And Avshalom said unto him, See, thy case is tovim and right; but there is no man deputy of HaMelech to hear thee.
4. Avshalom said moreover, Oh that I were made Shofet in the land, that every ish which hath any riv or mishpat might come unto me, and I would bring him justice!
5. And it was so, that when any ish came near to him to prostrate himself before him, he put forth his yad, and took him, and kissed him.
6. And on this manner did Avshalom to kol Yisroel that came to HaMelech for mishpat; so Avshalom stole the lev anshei Yisroel.
7. And it came to pass after arba'im shanah, that Avshalom said unto HaMelech, Now let me go and fulfill my neder, which I have vowed unto Hashem, in Chevron.
8. For thy eved vowed a neder (vow) while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If Hashem shall bring me again indeed to Yerushalayim, then I will serve Hashem.
9. And HaMelech said unto him, Go in shalom. So he arose, and went to Chevron.
10. But Avshalom sent secret messengers throughout kol Shivtei Yisroel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the shofar, then ye shall say, Avshalom reigneth in Chevron.
11. And with Avshalom went two hundred ish out of Yerushalayim, that were invited; and they went innocently, and they had da'as of not anything.
12. And Avshalom sent for Achitophel the Giloni, Dovid's yo'etz (counsellor), from his town, even from Giloh, while he offered zivakhim. And the kesher (conspiracy) was strong; for the people increased continually with Avshalom.