Absalom ingratiates himself with the people of Jerusalem. For four years, he sits at the gates and intercepts people going to the king to judge matters. Absalom tells them their cases are strong and he would rule in their favor if he were king. He then kisses them instead of letting them bow to him.
He goes to Hebron (David's first capital) and turns it into a full-on conspiracy. He sends people around the country who are to wait until they hear a ram's horn and then tell everyone that Absalom is now king.
Meanwhile, word gets back to David that the entire country has joined with Absalom in a rebellion against him. David turns to a panic that we have not seen out of him yet. Maybe because there was no promise from God that he would survive an insurrection by his own son. He flees Jerusalem along with over 600 loyal soldiers from Gath. He tried to dismiss them since they are guests in Israel, but they decided to stay.
David hears that one of his advisors, Ahihothel, has joined Absalom. David also sends a trusted friend Hushai to go back to Jerusalem to be an inside man and give Absalom bad advice. David took his entire entourage, except for 10 concubines to watch the palace.
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