2 Samuel 15

29 So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of God back to the city and stayed there.

30 David walked up the road that led to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered and his feet were bare as a sign of mourning. And the people who were with him covered their heads and wept as they climbed the mountain.

31 When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, "O LORD, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!"

32 As they reached the spot at the top of the Mount of Olives where people worshiped God, David found Hushai the Arkite waiting for him. Hushai had torn his clothing and put dirt on his head as a sign of mourning.

33 But David told him, "If you go with me, you will only be a burden.

34 Return to Jerusalem and tell Absalom, `I will now be your adviser, just as I was your father's adviser in the past.' Then you can frustrate and counter Ahithophel's advice.

35 Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, are there. Tell them the plans that are being made to capture me,

36 and they will send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to find me and tell me what is going on."

37 So David's friend Hushai returned to Jerusalem, getting there just as Absalom arrived.

Read 2 Samuel 16

1: Hebrew at the crossing points of the wilderness.

^{New Living Translation Bible and Notes used with permission Tyndale House Publishers.}