2 Samuel 15:1-6

New English Translation

Absalom Leads an Insurrection against David

15 Some time later Absalom managed to acquire^[a] a chariot and horses, as well as fifty men to serve as his royal guard.^{[b] 2} Now Absalom used to get up early and stand beside the road that led to the city gate. Whenever anyone came by who had a complaint to bring to the king for arbitration, Absalom would call out to him, “What city are you from?” The person would answer, “I, your servant,^[c] am from one of the tribes of Israel.” ³ Absalom would then say to him, “Look, your claims are legitimate and appropriate.^[d] But there is no representative of the king who will listen to you.” ⁴ Absalom would then say, “If only they would make me^[e] a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint^[f] could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.”

⁵ When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom^[g] would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him. ⁶ Absalom acted this way toward everyone in Israel who came to the king for justice. In this way Absalom won the loyalty^[h] of the citizens^[i] of Israel.