12. While he was offering sacrifices, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s adviser, to come from his city, Giloh. The conspiracy was gaining momentum, and the people were starting to side with Absalom.
13. Then a messenger came to David and reported, “The men of Israel are loyal to Absalom!”
14. So David said to all his servants who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come on! Let’s escape! Otherwise no one will be delivered from Absalom! Go immediately, or else he will quickly overtake us and bring disaster on us and kill the city’s residents with the sword.”
15. The king’s servants replied to the king, “We will do whatever our lord the king decides.”
16. So the king and all the members of his royal court set out on foot, though the king left behind ten concubines to attend to the palace.
17. The king and all the people set out on foot, pausing at a spot some distance away.