2 Samuel 15:4-12

Absalom would also say, “I wish someone would make me judge in this land! Then people with problems could come to me, and I could help them get justice.” People would come near Absalom to bow to him. When they did, Absalom would reach out his hand and take hold of them and kiss them. Absalom did that to all the Israelites who came to King David for decisions. In this way, Absalom stole the hearts of all Israel. After four years Absalom said to King David, “Please let me go to Hebron. I want to carry out my promise that I made to the LORD while I was living in Geshur in Aram. I said, ‘If the LORD takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship him in Hebron.’ ” The king said, “Go in peace.” So Absalom went to Hebron. But he sent secret messengers through all the tribes of Israel. They told the people, “When you hear the trumpets, say this: ‘Absalom is the king at Hebron!’ ” Absalom had invited two hundred men to go with him. So they went from Jerusalem with him, but they didn’t know what he was planning. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of the people who advised David, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So Absalom’s plans were working very well. More and more people began to support him.