Absalom's Conspiracy – 2 Samuel 15
- Absalom steals the hearts of Israel by saying that he would give justice to all who came to Jerusalem with disputes. After four years, he asks David for permission to go to Hebron to worship God. David agrees, and Absalom goes. He sends messengers throughout Israel, telling the people that as soon as they hear the trumpets, they are to say, "Absalom is king at Hebron!" He takes 200 people with him (who don't realize what he is doing), and others join them.
David Flees Jerusalem
- A messenger comes to David and tells him that the hearts of the people have gone after Absalom. David flees from Jerusalem, leaving only ten concubines behind. David questions Ittai the Gittite why the Gittites, who are foreigners, are following him, and he pledges their loyalty to David.
- The Levites follow David, bringing the ark of the covenant. David sends them back to Jerusalem, telling them that if he finds favor in the Lord, God will bring him back to Jerusalem. Abiathar and Zadok take the ark back to Jerusalem.
- David and others climb the Mount of Olives in bare feet and with their heads covered, weeping. David is told that Ahithophel is a conspirator of Absalom, and David asks God to turn Ahithophel's counsel to foolishness. David sends Hushai the Archite back to Jerusalem to be a spy in Absalom's house (he has returned to Jerusalem).
David and Ziba – 2 Samuel 16
- Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, brings saddled donkeys, two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine for David and the men climbing the Mount of Olives. David declares that all that belonged to Mephibosheth now belongs to Ziba, and Ziba pays him homage.
Shimei Curses David
- As David comes to Bahurim, Shimei (of the house of Saul), comes as David cursing him and throwing stones at him. Abishai, son of Zeruiah asks to behead him, and David tells him to leave Shimei alone, as God will repay the man's deeds if He chooses to. David and all those following him arrive at the Jordan, where they refresh themselves.
Absalom Enters Jerusalem
- Absalom and all those following him come into Jerusalem. Hushai requests to continue serving the king (now Absalom), and Absalom asks for his counsel. Hushai tells him to go in to David's concubines, which he does in the sight of all Israel (in a tent on the roof).
- Ahithophel's counsel is as if he consults the word of God, and David and Absalom esteem him.
Hushai Saves David – 2 Samuel 17
- Ahithophel requests of Absalom that he choose twelve thousand men so he can pursue David that night and kill him. Absalom has him call Hushai, for his counsel.
- Hushai instead recommends mobilizing the entire army of Israel and having Absalom lead them. Absalom agrees to Hushai's plan, for the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, who had the better plan, so he could bring harm upon Absalom.
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