1 After this, Absalom got himself a chariot, horses, and 50 men to run before him.
2 He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for settlement, Absalom called out to him and asked, “What city are you from? ” If he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,”
3 Absalom said to him, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king does not have anyone to listen to you.”
4 He added, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land. Then anyone who had a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would make sure he received justice.”
5 When a person approached to bow down to him, Absalom reached out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him.
6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for a settlement. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 When four years had passed, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go to Hebron to fulfill a vow I made to the Lord.