And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
Early in the morning, Absalom stood near the entrance gate. When people with disputes went to the king for help, Absalom asked them which city they were from. They replied that they were from one of the tribes of Israel.