2 Samuel 15:34   (Read all of 2 Samuel 15)

But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father's servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,' then you can help me by frustrating Ahithophel's advice.

2 Samuel 15:35   (Read all of 2 Samuel 15)

Won't the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king's palace.

2 Samuel 15:36   (Read all of 2 Samuel 15)

Their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear."

2 Samuel 16:2   (Read all of 2 Samuel 16)

The king asked Ziba, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness."

2 Samuel 16:3   (Read all of 2 Samuel 16)

The king then asked, "Where is your master's grandson?" Ziba said to him, "He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, 'Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather's kingdom.' "

2 Samuel 16:4   (Read all of 2 Samuel 16)

Then the king said to Ziba, "All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." "I humbly bow," Ziba said. "May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king."

2 Samuel 16:7   (Read all of 2 Samuel 16)

As he cursed, Shimei said, "Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel!

2 Samuel 16:8   (Read all of 2 Samuel 16)

The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!"

2 Samuel 16:10   (Read all of 2 Samuel 16)

But the king said, "What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?' "

2 Samuel 16:17   (Read all of 2 Samuel 16)

Absalom said to Hushai, "So this is the love you show your friend? If he's your friend, why didn't you go with him?"

2 Samuel 16:19   (Read all of 2 Samuel 16)

Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you."

2 Samuel 16:20   (Read all of 2 Samuel 16)

Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your advice. What should we do?"

2 Samuel 16:21   (Read all of 2 Samuel 16)

Ahithophel answered, "Sleep with your father's concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute."

2 Samuel 17:3   (Read all of 2 Samuel 17)

and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed."

2 Samuel 17:6   (Read all of 2 Samuel 17)

When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, "Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion."

2 Samuel 17:8   (Read all of 2 Samuel 17)

You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops.

2 Samuel 17:9   (Read all of 2 Samuel 17)

Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.'

2 Samuel 17:10   (Read all of 2 Samuel 17)

Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.

2 Samuel 17:11   (Read all of 2 Samuel 17)

"So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba-as numerous as the sand on the seashore-be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle.

2 Samuel 17:18   (Read all of 2 Samuel 17)

But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it.

2 Samuel 17:21   (Read all of 2 Samuel 17)

After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, "Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you."

2 Samuel 18:2   (Read all of 2 Samuel 18)

David sent out his troops, a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, "I myself will surely march out with you."

2 Samuel 18:3   (Read all of 2 Samuel 18)

But the men said, "You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won't care about us. Even if half of us die, they won't care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city."

2 Samuel 18:4   (Read all of 2 Samuel 18)

The king answered, "I will do whatever seems best to you." So the king stood beside the gate while all his men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands.