“After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty
men to run before him. And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside
the way of the gate.
And when any man had a dispute to come before the
king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city
are you?” And when he said, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe in
Israel,” Absalom would say to him, “See, your claims are good and
right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you.”
Then
Absalom would say, “Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man
with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice.”
And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his
hand and take hold of him and kiss him. Thus, Absalom did to all of
Israel who came to the king for judgment. So, Absalom stole the hearts
of the men of Israel.”
