But the king said, “Let him go over to his own house. He may not see my face.” So Absalom went over to his own house; he did not see the king’s face.

While he was offering sacrifices, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s adviser, to come from his city, Giloh. The conspiracy was gaining momentum, and the people were starting to side with Absalom.

All his servants were leaving with him, along with all the Kerethites, all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites – some six hundred men who had come on foot from Gath. They were leaving with the king.

So the king got up and sat at the city gate. When all the people were informed that the king was sitting at the city gate, they all came before him.But the Israelite soldiers had all fled to their own homes.

he stood his ground and fought the Philistines until his hand grew so tired that it seemed stuck to his sword. The Lord gave a great victory on that day. When the army returned to him, the only thing left to do was to plunder the corpses.

Then David built an altar for the Lord there and offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings. And the Lord accepted prayers for the land, and the plague was removed from Israel.

David replied to him, “How is it that you were not afraid to reach out your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”

Then Joab blew the ram’s horn and all the people stopped in their tracks. They stopped chasing Israel and ceased fighting.

“Go, tell my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord says: Do you really intend to build a house for me to live in?

Your house and your kingdom will stand before me permanently; your dynasty will be permanent.’”

What more can David say to you? You have given your servant special recognition, O Lord God!

Mephibosheth was living in Jerusalem, for he was a regular guest at the king’s table. But both his feet were crippled.

Because he committed this cold-hearted crime, he must pay for the lamb four times over!”

So David assembled all the army and went to Rabbah and fought against it and captured it.

But when Absalom pressed him, he sent Amnon and all the king’s sons along with him.

Jonadab said to the king, “Look! The king’s sons have come! It’s just as I said!”

Then the woman said, “Please permit your servant to speak to my lord the king about another matter.” He replied, “Tell me.”

The king and all the people set out on foot, pausing at a spot some distance away.

Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me pick out twelve thousand men. Then I will go and pursue David this very night.

Then Joab blew the trumpet and the army turned back from chasing Israel, for Joab had called for the army to halt.