Thematic Bible: Absalom, electioneering for the throne

And [he] rose up early and stood beside the gateway; and when any man who had a controversy came to the king for judgment, Absalom called to him, Of what city are you? And he would say, Your servant is of such and such a tribe of Israel. Absalom would say to him, Your claims are good and right, but there is no man appointed as the king's agent to hear you. Absalom added, Oh, that I were judge in the land! Then every man with any suit or cause might come to me and I would do him justice! read more.
And whenever a man came near to do obeisance to him, he would put out his hand, take hold of him, and kiss him. Thus Absalom did to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.