Scriptures

New Living Translation (NLT)

2 Samuel 14
²⁸ Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years, but he never got to see the king.
²⁹ Then Absalom sent for Joab to ask him to intercede for him, but Joab refused to come. Absalom sent for him a second time, but again Joab refused to come.
³⁰ So Absalom said to his servants, “Go and set fire to Joab’s barley field, the field next to mine.” So they set his field on fire, as Absalom had commanded.
³¹ Then Joab came to Absalom at his house and demanded, “Why did your servants set my field on fire?”
³² And Absalom replied, “Because I wanted you to ask the king why he brought me back from Geshur if he didn’t intend to see me. I might as well have stayed there. Let me see the king; if he finds me guilty of anything, then let him kill me.”
³³ So Joab told the king what Absalom had said. Then at last David summoned Absalom, who came and bowed low before the king, and the king kissed him.
2 Samuel 15
¹ After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him.
² He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe.
³ Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it.
⁴ I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!”
⁵ When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them.