3 And Absalom would say unto them, See, thy matters are good and just; but there is no one delegated by the king to hear thee.
4 And Absalom would say, Oh, that I were made judge in the land, that everyone who has any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
5 And it was so, that when anyone came near unto him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him.
6 And Absalom did according to this manner with all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of those of Israel.
7 And at the end of a predetermined period of forty years, it came to pass that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go to Hebron and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord.
8 For thy slave 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.
9 And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose and went to Hebron.