Editing Absalom (section)

===The revolt at Hebron===
In Jerusalem, Absalom built support for himself by speaking to those who came to King David for justice, saying, "See, your claims are good and right; but there is no one deputed by the king to hear you", perhaps reflecting flaws in the [[judicial system]] of the united monarchy. "If only I were the judge of the land! Then all who had a suit or cause might come to me, and I would give them justice." He made gestures of flattery by kissing those who bowed before him instead of accepting supplication. He "stole the hearts of the people of Israel".<ref>{{bibleverse|2 Samuel|15|NRSV}}</ref>

After four years, he declared himself king, raised a revolt at Hebron, the former capital, and publicly raped his father's ten concubines.{{sfn|Kirk-Duggan|2004|p=59}} It is said that this was God punishing David for his sin with [[Bathsheba]] tenfold.  All Israel and Judah flocked to him, and David, attended only by the [[Cherethites and Pelethites]] and his former bodyguard, which had followed him from Gath, found it expedient to flee. The priests [[Zadok]] and [[Abiathar]] remained in Jerusalem, and their sons Jonathan and Ahimaaz served as David's spies. Absalom reached the capital and consulted with the renowned [[Ahitophel]] (sometimes spelled Achitophel). It is also speculated that Ahitophel could have joined Absalom's cause as David had previously committed adultery with his granddaughter, Bathsheba.

David took refuge from Absalom's forces beyond the [[Jordan River]]. However, he took the precaution of instructing a servant, [[Hushai]], to infiltrate Absalom's court and subvert it. Once in place, Hushai convinced Absalom to ignore Ahitophel's advice to attack his father while he was on the run, and instead to prepare his forces for a major attack. This gave David critical time to prepare his own troops for the battle. When Ahitophel saw that his advice was not followed, he committed suicide by hanging himself.