Absalom stood near the road to the city gate each morning and spoke to people coming for judgment. He said no one from the king would hear their cases and that he would give them justice if he were judge. When they bowed, he took hold of them and kissed them. In this way he won the hearts of Israelites.
He went to Hebron under the pretext of paying a vow and sent messengers through the tribes to proclaim him king when they heard the trumpet. David heard the report in Jerusalem and fled with his servants and household, fearing the city would suffer. He went up the Mount of Olives weeping, and the people went with covered heads.
Absalom entered Jerusalem. Hushai, David’s friend, appeared to support him. Ahithophel urged an immediate pursuit, but Hushai advised gathering all Israel first. Absalom chose Hushai’s counsel. Hushai sent word for David to cross the Jordan, and David’s people crossed safely.
David divided his army under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. He stood by the gate as they went out and told all three commanders to deal gently with his son Absalom. The army heard the command.
The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim, where Israel was defeated. Absalom fled on a mule, and his head caught in the branches of a great oak; he hung there while the mule went on. Joab thrust three darts into him, and his men finished the killing. A messenger brought David news of victory, but David asked first whether Absalom was safe. When he learned his son was dead, he went up over the gate and wept, crying for Absalom.
As David fled, Zadok and Abiathar brought the ark after him. David told them to return it to Jerusalem. If God favored him, God would bring him back to see the ark and its place; if not, David would accept what God chose. He did not take the ark as a guarantee for his escape.
Joab learned that David was grieving for Absalom and confronted him. He warned that the king’s grief made the returning soldiers feel unloved. David then rose and sat in the gate. When the people heard that the king was there, they came before him.