7 After four years, Absalom said to King David, “Please let me go to Hebron to complete a special promise that I made to the Lord.
8 I made that promise while I was still living in Geshur in Aram. I said, ‘If the Lord brings me back to Jerusalem, I will serve the Lord in a special way.’”
9 King David said, “Go in peace.” Absalom went to Hebron.
10 But he also sent spies to all the tribes of Israel. They told the people, “When you hear the trumpet, say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’”
11 Absalom invited 200 men to go with him. They left Jerusalem with him, but they did not know what he was planning.
12 Ahithophel was one of David’s advisors. He was from the town of Giloh. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he invited Ahithophel to join. Absalom’s plans were working very well and more and more people began to support him.
13 A man came in to tell the news to David. The man said, “The people of Israel are beginning to follow Absalom.”