16
When David's friend Hushai from Archi's family came to Absalom, he said, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
17
"Is that how loyal you are to your friend?" Absalom asked Hushai. "Why didn't you go with him?"
18
Hushai answered Absalom, "No, I want to be with the one whom the LORD, these people, and all Israel have chosen. I will be his [friend] and stay with him.
19
And besides, whom should I serve? Shouldn't it be his son? As I served your father, so I'll serve you."
20
Then Absalom asked Ahithophel, "What's your advice? What should we do?"
21
Ahithophel told Absalom, "Sleep with your father's concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear about how you have made your father despise you. Everyone who is with you will support you even more."
22
So a tent was put up on the roof for Absalom, and he slept with his father's concubines in plain sight of Israel.
23
In those days both David and Absalom thought that Ahithophel's advice was like getting an answer from God.