¹⁰ Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets,^(A) then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’” ¹¹ Two hundred men from Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the matter. ¹² While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel^(B) the Gilonite, David’s counselor,^(C) to come from Giloh,^(D) his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.^(E)

David Flees

¹³ A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom.”