David Leaves Jerusalem

Absalom got a chariot and horses and fifty men to run before him. He rose early and stood by the gate. He told people with problems that their case was good, but no one from the king would hear them. He wished he were judge. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

Absalom asked to go to Hebron to pay a vow, but there he made himself king. When David heard, he said, Arise, let's flee. David left with his household. Ittai the Gittite said he would be wherever the king was, whether for death or for life.

Zadok and the Levites brought God's ark. David told Zadok to carry it back into the city. He said if he found favor in God's eyes, God would bring him back. David went up the Mount of Olives, weeping with his head covered. He prayed that God would turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. He sent his friend Hushai back to the city to help.