Today is the 30th day of May. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It is fantastic to be here with you today as we gather around the global campfire where everything is peaceful and serene.

We all have a place and we have gathered to take the next step forward together and so that is exactly what we will do.

Our next step leads us back into the book of 2nd Samuel. We are learning of the reign of King David.

We have learned some of the darker passages of David's reign and life and some of the decisions that he has made that have undermined his leadership and really undermined so much in his own family.

So much so that where we left off yesterday is that David's son Absalom has gone to Hebron and is essentially a gathering an army to overthrow his father, King David.

David has heard the news and has decided to go back on the run. It is something that he knows. He had to run for his life from King Saul.

And now it is as if he has to run from his life from his own son.

And so David is leaving Jerusalem with the anticipation that Absalom is coming to try to take over Jerusalem.

And so let's pick up the story. 2nd Samuel chapter 15 verse 23 through 16 verse 23.

Everyone cried loudly as the king and his followers passed by. Across the Kidren Valley and then went out toward the wilderness.

Zaidak and all the Levites also came along carrying the Ark of the Covenant of God. They sat down the Ark of God and Abiyathar offered sacrifices until everyone had passed out of the city.

And the king instructed Zaidak to take the Ark of God back into the city.

If the Lord sees fit, David said, he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle again.

But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him.

The king also told Zaidak the priest, look, here is my plan.

You and Abiyathar should return quietly to the city with your son, Ahimeaz, and Abiyathar's son, Jonathan.

I will stop at the shallows of the Jordan River and wait there for a report from you.

So Zaidak and Abiyathar took the Ark of God back to the city and stayed there.

David walked up the road to the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went. His head was covered in his feet were bare as a sign of mourning.

And the people who were with him covered their heads and wept as they climbed the hill.

When someone told David that his advisor, Ahithafel, was now backing Absalom.

David prayed, oh Lord, let Ahithafel give Absalom foolish advice.

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