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^(A) the Gilonite, David’s counselor,^(B) to come from Giloh,^(C) his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.^(D)

David Flees

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