13Now a messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.”
14So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.”
15And the king’s servants said to the king, “We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.”
16Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house.
17And the king went out with all the people after him, and stopped at the outskirts.
