¹² Ahithophel was one of the people who advised David. He was from the town of Giloh. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he called Ahithophel to come from his hometown of Giloh. So Absalom’s plans were working very well. More and more people began to support him.

¹³ A man came in to tell the news to David. The man said, “The Israelites are beginning to follow Absalom.”

¹⁴ Then David spoke to all his officers who were with him in Jerusalem. He said, “We must leave quickly! If we don’t, we won’t be able to get away from Absalom. We must hurry before he catches us. He would destroy us and kill the people of Jerusalem.”

¹⁵ The king’s officers said to him, “We will do anything you say.”

¹⁶ The king set out with everyone in his house. But he left ten slave women to take care of the palace. ¹⁷ The king left with all his people following him. They stopped at the last house. ¹⁸ All the king’s servants passed by him. All the Kerethites and Pelethites, the king’s bodyguards, passed by him. All those from Gath, the 600 men who had followed him, passed by him.

¹⁹ The king spoke to Ittai, a man from Gath. He said, “Why are you also going with us? Turn back and stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner. This is not your homeland. ²⁰ Only a short time ago you came to join me. Today should I make you go with us to other places? I don’t even know where I’m going. Turn back, and take your brothers with you. May kindness and loyalty be shown to you.”

²¹ But Ittai said to the king, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will stay with you. I’ll be with you wherever you are. I’ll be with you whether it means life or death.”

²² David said to Ittai, “Go, march on.” So Ittai from Gath and all his people with their children marched on. ²³ All the people cried loudly as everyone passed by. King David also crossed the Kidron Valley. Then all the people went on to the desert. 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.’

¹⁵ Meanwhile, Absalom, Ahithophel and all the men of Israel arrived at Jerusalem. ¹⁶ David’s friend Hushai the Arkite came to Absalom. He said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

¹⁷ Absalom asked, “Why are you not loyal to your friend David? Why didn’t you leave Jerusalem with your friend?”

¹⁸ Hushai said, “I belong to the one chosen by the Lord and by these people and all the men of Israel. I will stay with you. ¹⁹ In the past I served your father. So whom should I serve now? David’s son! I will serve you.”

Ahithophel’s Advice

²⁰ Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Please tell us what we should do.”

²¹ Ahithophel said, “Your father left behind some of his slave women who give birth to his children. He left them here to take care of the palace. Have physical relations with them. Then all the Israelites will hear that your father is your enemy. And all your people will be encouraged to give you more support.” ²² So they put up a tent for Absalom on the flat roof^[a] of the palace. Everyone in Israel could see it. And Absalom had physical relations with his father’s slave women.

²³ At that time people thought Ahithophel’s advice was as reliable as God’s own word. Both David and Absalom thought it was that reliable.

¹⁷ Absalom asked, “Why are you not loyal to your friend David? Why didn’t you leave Jerusalem with your friend?”