2 Samuel 16:15-23

Absalom Enters Jerusalem

15 ¹Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

16 And when Hushai the Archite, ²David’s friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, ³“Long live the king! Long live the king! ”

17 And Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? ⁴Why did you not go with your friend? ”

18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, for whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain.

19 And again, ⁵whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you. ”

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do? ”

21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to ⁶your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and ⁷the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened. ”

22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom ⁸on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father’s concubines ⁹in the sight of all Israel.

23 Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, ¹⁰both by David and by Absalom.

2 Samuel 16:15-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 16

In this chapter is an account of Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, getting his inheritance by misrepresentation of him, and by presents to David, 2Sa 16:1-4; and of Shimei's cursing David as he passed along, which David bore patiently, and would not suffer others to avenge it on him, 2Sa 16:5-14; and of Hushai's offer of his service to Absalom, who admitted him to be of his privy council, 2Sa 16:15-19; and of the counsel which Ahithophel gave, 2Sa 15:20-23.

Cross References

• 1. 16:15 ch. 15:37
• 2. 16:16 [See ver. 15 above]
• 3. 16:16 1 Sam. 10:24; 1 Kgs. 1:25, 39; 2 Kgs. 11:12
• 4. 16:17 [ch. 19:25]
• 5. 16:19 ch. 15:34
• 6. 16:21 ch. 15:16; 20:3
• 7. 16:21 ch. 2:7; Zech. 8:9, 13
• 8. 16:22 See 1 Sam. 9:25
• 9. 16:22 ch. 12:11, 12
• 10. 16:23 ch. 15:12