24 Zadok(A) was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark(B) of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar(C) offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.

25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place(D) again. 26 But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.(E)

27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Do you understand?(F) Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan.(G) You and Abiathar return with your two sons. 28 I will wait at the fords(H) in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29 So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.

30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping(I) as he went; his head(J) was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. 31 Now David had been told, “Ahithophel(K) is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”

32 When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai(L) the Arkite(M) was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust(N) on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be a burden(O) to me. 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’(P) then you can help me by frustrating(Q) Ahithophel’s advice. 35 Won’t the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king’s palace.(R) 36 Their two sons, Ahimaaz(S) son of Zadok and Jonathan(T) son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear.”

37 So Hushai,(U) David’s confidant, arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom(V) was entering the city.

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