2
He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”
3
Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.”
4
And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”
5
Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him.
6
Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.