It was after this that Avsholom made [for himself] a chariot [with] horses and [an entourage of] fifty men ran before him.

Avsholom would rise early, and stand next to the gateway and any man who had a complaint and was coming to the king for judgment, Avsholom would call to him saying, "From what city are you?" He [the complainant] would say "Your servant is from one of the tribes of Yisroel."

Avsholom would say to him, "Look your words are good and correct, [but] Your case will not be heard by the king.

Avsholom said, "Who will install me as a judge in the land? [Then] to me would come every man who has a complaint and litigation and I will judge him righteously."

And when the man would draw near to bow down to him, he [Avsholom] would extend his hand, grab hold of him and would kiss him.

Avsholom did this to all of Yisroel coming for judgment to the king. [In this way] Avsholom stole the hearts of [misled] the people of Yisroel.

At the end of forty years, Avsholom said to the king, "I would like to go and fulfill my vows [of bringing sacrifices] that I [previously] vowed to God in Chevron [so I may fulfill them].

For your servant made a vow while I was staying in Geshur in Arom saying, 'If God returns me to Yerusholayim, I will worship God [with sacrifices].' "

The king said to him "Go in peace." He [Avsholom] got up and went to Chevron.

Avsholom sent spies to all the tribes of Yisroel saying "When you hear the sound of the shofar, you should say 'Avsholom reigns in Chevron.' "

Two hundred men left with Avsholom from Yerusholayim. They were invited and went in innocence and they knew nothing [of Avsholom's conspiracy].

Avsholom sent for Achitophel the Gilonite, the counsellor to Dovid, to come from his city, Giloh while they slaughtered the sacrifices. The bond [of conspiracy] strengthened. Additional people were constantly joining with Avsholom.

The informant came to Dovid saying, "The hearts of the men of Yisroel are behind Avsholom."

Dovid said to all his servants that were with him in Yerusholayim, "Let us get up and flee because we will not be able to escape from before Avsholom. Let us hurry and leave lest he quickly overtake us and thrust evil upon us and strike the city with the sword."

The king's servants said to the king, "All that you choose [to do] my master O king, we your servants are here [with you].

The king and all his household left by foot. The king left behind ten concubine women to watch the house.

The king and all the people left by foot. They stopped far away.

All his servants were passing by him, all the archers, all the throwers and all the Gitites. Six hundred men that came by foot from Gat, all passing by the face of the king.

The king said to Itai the Gitite, "Why are you going with us? Return and stay with the king because you are a foreigner and even if you are estranged [from Avsholom] you can go to your home.

You [just] came yesterday and should I today cause you to move out with us. I am going to where [circumstances have] me go. Return and take back your brethren with you. I will consider it kindness and truth."

Itai replied to the king and said, "As Adonoy lives and as my master the king lives, only in the place where my master the king will be whether for death or for life [that is] where your servant will be."

Dovid said to Itai, "Go and pass by." And Itai the Gitite passed by [together with] all his men and all the children that were with him.

All the [people of] the land were crying with a loud voice as all the people were passing by. As the king passed by Nachal Kidron all the people were passing along the width of the highway towards the desert.

And also Tzodok and all the Levites with him who were carrying the Ark of the convenant of God. They set down the Ark of Elokim and Evyosor went off [to the side] until all the people finished passing out of the city.

The king said to Tzodok, "Return the Ark of God to the city. If I find favor in Adonoy's Eyes, He will bring me back and I will see Him and His dwelling place.

And if he says as follows, 'I do not want you.' Here I am, do unto me whatever is favorable in Your Eyes."

The King said to Tzodok, the Kohein, "If you see this [as right], return to the city in peace and Achimaatz, your son and Yohonoson, the son of Evyosor your two sons with you.

Look, I will stay in the plains of the desert until word comes from you to tell me."

Tzodok and Evyosor returned the Ark of Elokim to Yerusholoyim and they stayed there.

Dovid went upon the heights of Mount of Olives, crying as he went up. His head was covered and he went barefoot. All the people that were with him, each man covered his head and they went up crying as they went up.

Dovid was told [by an informer] saying, "Achitophel is among the conspirators with Avsholom." Dovid said, "Adonoy, please ruin Achitophel's advice."

Dovid arrived at the summit where he used to bow down to God. Chushai, the Arkite greeted him. His tunic was tom and dirt was on his head.

Dovid said to him, "If you travel with me you will be a burden for me.

[But] if you return to the city and say to Avsholom, 'King, I will be your servant. Previously, I was your father's servant and now I am your servant.' [Then] you can sabotage for me Achitophel's advice.

And with you there will be Tzodok and Evyosor, the Kohanim. Everything you hear from the king's palace, tell Tzodok and Evyosor the Kohanim.

Their two sons are there with them, Achimaatz for Tzodok and Yohonoson for Evyosor. "Send [messages] in their hands to me [about] all the things you hear."

Chashai, Dovid's friend came to the city and Avsholom was going to come to Yerosholoyim.