2 Samuel 16:22

22 So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and he went in to his father’s concubines before all Israel.

2 Samuel 16:22 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 16:22

So they spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house
On the top of his father's palace; this, as houses in Jerusalem and Judea were, was built flat, ( Deuteronomy 22:8 ) ; and it was on the very spot from whence David had a sight of Bathsheba, and conceived an impure lust after her. The Targum renders it, a canopy; which Kimchi describes as consisting of four pillars, upon and round about which curtains were hung:

and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all
Israel;
they saw the tent or canopy erected, and saw him go into it, and might reasonably conclude he lay with his father's concubines, or half wives, in it; and this being done in so public a manner fulfilled the prophecy, which said it should be done in the sight of the sun, and of all Israel, ( 2 Samuel 12:11 2 Samuel 12:12 ) ; this shows how corrupt the people of Israel were at this time, at least those that were with Absalom, that there should be none to object to the counsel Ahithophel gave, nor any to remonstrate against the execution of it, but all seemed to look upon it with pleasure; nor even did Hushai, David's friend, oppose it; perhaps he saw it was to no purpose.

2 Samuel 16:22 In-Context

20 And Absalom said to Achitophel: Consult what we are to do.

21 And Achitophel said to Absalom: Go in to the concubines of thy father, whom he hath left to keep the house: that when all Israel shall hear that thou hast disgraced thy father, their hands may be strengthened with thee.

22 So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and he went in to his father’s concubines before all Israel.

23 Now the counsel of Achitophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man should consult God: so was all the counsel of Achitophel, both when he was with David, and when he was with Absalom.