2 Samuel 15:2-4

New Catholic Bible

² Absalom was accustomed to arise early and stand by the side of the road that led to the city gate. If someone had a lawsuit to bring before the king for judgment, Absalom would call out and ask him: “Which town do you come from?” and that person would answer: “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.”

³ Then Absalom would reply: “Your petition may be clearly valid and just, but there is no one who is authorized by the king to hear you.” ⁴ He would further add: “If only I were appointed as judge in the land, then everyone who has a lawsuit or a claim to be arbitrated could come to me, and I would ensure that he would have his case judged fairly.”