2 Samuel 16:20

20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”

2 Samuel 16:20 in Other Translations

20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

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

20 Then Absalom turned to Ahithophel and asked him, “What should I do next?”

20 Then Absalom spoke to Ahithophel, "Are you ready to give counsel? What do we do next?"

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give [me] your advice. What should we do?"

2 Samuel 16:20 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 16:20

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel
Having two such able counsellors as he and Hushai, he directs his speech to Ahithophel, as being his first and chief counsellor:

give counsel among you what we shall do;
he orders them to form a counsel, consult among themselves what was proper to be now done at Jerusalem, whether it was right to stay here or pursue after David and his men. Absalom did not send to the high priest to ask counsel of God, by Urim and Thummim before the ark, but wholly confided in his privy council.

2 Samuel 16:20 In-Context

18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him.

19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”

20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”

21 Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.”

22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.