2 Samuel 15:9
Verse 9 of 37. The 15th of 24 chapters in 2 Samuel, in History.
5It was so, that when any man came near to bow down to him, he stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and kissed him.
6Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to the LORD, in Hebron.
8For your servant vowed a vow while I stayed at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the LORD shall indeed bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.’”
9The king said to him, “Go in peace.” So he arose and went to Hebron.
10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then you shall say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’”
11Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn’t know anything.
12Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong, for the people increased continually with Absalom.
13A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”
World English Bible. Public domain. Set as prose throughout, including the poetry, because the text is published to us without its lines.