2 Samuel 15:13-29
David Flees Jerusalem

13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

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14 And David said unto all his servants that [were] with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not [else] escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

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15 And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants [are ready to do] whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

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16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, [which were] concubines, to keep the house.

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17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

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18 And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

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19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou [art] a stranger, and also an exile.

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20 Whereas thou camest [but] yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth [be] with thee.

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21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

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22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that [were] with him.

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23 And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

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24 And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites [were] with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

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25 And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me [both] it, and his habitation:

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26 But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, [here am] I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

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27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, [Art not] thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

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28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

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29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

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