{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/kjv/2-samuel/15","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-29T17:53:32.817Z"},"reference":{"translation":"KJV","book":"2 Samuel","bookSlug":"2-samuel","chapter":15,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":14,"nextChapter":16,"totalChapters":24,"totalVerses":37},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was <i>so</i>, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city <i>art</i> thou? And he said, Thy servant <i>is</i> of one of the tribes of Israel."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters <i>are</i> good and right; but <i>there is</i> no man <i>deputed</i> of the king to hear thee."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!"},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"And it was <i>so</i>, that when any man came nigh <i>to him</i> to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him."},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, <i>that were</i> called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counseller, from his city, <i>even</i> from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"And David said unto all his servants that <i>were</i> with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not <i>else</i> escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants <i>are ready to do</i> whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, <i>which were</i> concubines, to keep the house."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off."},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king."},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou <i>art</i> a stranger, and also an exile."},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"Whereas thou camest <i>but</i> yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth <i>be</i> with thee."},{"verseNumber":21,"text":"And Ittai answered the king, and said, <i>As</i> the LORD liveth, and <i>as</i> my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be."},{"verseNumber":22,"text":"And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that <i>were</i> with him."},{"verseNumber":23,"text":"And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness."},{"verseNumber":24,"text":"And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites <i>were</i> with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city."},{"verseNumber":25,"text":"And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me <i>both</i> it, and his habitation:"},{"verseNumber":26,"text":"But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, <i>here am</i> I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him."},{"verseNumber":27,"text":"The king said also unto Zadok the priest, <i>Art not</i> thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar."},{"verseNumber":28,"text":"See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me."},{"verseNumber":29,"text":"Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there."},{"verseNumber":30,"text":"And David went up by the ascent of <i>mount</i> Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that <i>was</i> with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up."},{"verseNumber":31,"text":"And <i>one</i> told David, saying, Ahithophel <i>is</i> among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness."},{"verseNumber":32,"text":"And it came to pass, that <i>when</i> David was come to the top <i>of the mount</i>, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:"},{"verseNumber":33,"text":"Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:"},{"verseNumber":34,"text":"But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; <i>as</i> I <i>have been</i> thy father's servant hitherto, so <i>will</i> I now also <i>be</i> thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel."},{"verseNumber":35,"text":"And <i>hast thou</i> not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, <i>that</i> what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell <i>it</i> to Zadok and Abiathar the priests."},{"verseNumber":36,"text":"Behold, <i>they have</i> there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's <i>son</i>, and Jonathan Abiathar's <i>son</i>; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear."},{"verseNumber":37,"text":"So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem."}],"citation":{"inline":"2 Samuel 15 (KJV)","markdown":"[2 Samuel 15](https://primebible.com/kjv/2-samuel/15)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* KJV. https://primebible.com/kjv/2-samuel/15 (accessed 2026-05-29)."}}