1 Absalom got a cart, horses, and 50 men to run in front of him. ♂️♂️ 2 Absalom got up early and stood by the city gate. He asked people, “Where are you from?” 3 Absalom said, “You are right. But no one will hear you today.” ️♂️ 4 Absalom said, “If I were the judge, I would help you all.” ⚖️ 5 When people bowed, Absalom took their hand and kissed them. 6 Absalom did this to many people. Soon the people liked Absalom more than David. ❤️ 7 After some time, Absalom said he needed to go to Hebron to keep a promise. ♂️ 8 Absalom said, “I said I would thank God in Hebron.” 9 The king said, “Go in peace.” Absalom went to Hebron. ️♂️ 10 Absalom sent secret helpers. He said, “When the horn sounds, say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron!’” 11 Two hundred men went with Absalom from Jerusalem. They did not know his plan. ♂️♂️ 12 Absalom sent for Ahithophel to help him. More and more people went with Absalom. ➕ 13 A man came and told David, “The people of Israel follow Absalom now.” ♂️️ 14 David said, “We must run now. If we stay, Absalom will catch us.” ♂️♀️ 15 The servants said, “We will do what you say.” ♂️♀️ 16 The king left with his house. He left ten women to care for the house. ♂️ 17 The king and all the people went out and stopped at the last house. ⏸️ 18 The king’s guards came by, and 600 men from Gath came by too. ️ 19 The king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why come with us? Go back.” ️↩️ 20 “You just came here. Go back with your men. Be kind and true.” ❤️ 21 Ittai said, “I will stay with you, in life or in death.” ️ 22 David said, “Come.” Ittai and all his men and kids went with David. ♂️ 23 All the people cried loud. They crossed a small river and went to the wild land. 24 Zadok and the priests brought God’s Box (the Ark). They set it down until all people left the city. ⛪ 25 David said, “Take God’s Box back to the city. If God lets me come back, I will see it again.” ⬅️ 26 “If God says no, I am here. God can do what He wants.” 27 The king said to Zadok, “Go back with Abiathar and your sons.” 28 “I will wait by the river place to cross. Send me news.” ⏳ 29 Zadok and Abiathar took God’s Box back to Jerusalem and stayed there. ️ 30 David went up the olive hill. He cried. His head was covered. He had no shoes. The people cried too. 31 They told David, “Ahithophel is with Absalom.” David prayed, “God, please stop his plan.” 32 Hushai came to David. His coat was torn. Dirt was on his head. He was very sad. 33 David said, “If you come with me, it will be too hard.” ️ 34 “Go back. Say to Absalom, ‘I will help you.’ Then you can stop Ahithophel’s plan.” 35 “Zadok and Abiathar are there. Tell them all you hear.” ➡️⚖️ 36 “Their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan can run. Send me news by them.” ♂️ 37 So Hushai went into the city. Absalom came into Jerusalem. ♂️️