2 Samuel 16:17-23

17 Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this the way you show devotion to your good friend? Why didn't you go with your friend David?"

18 "Because," said Hushai, "I want to be with the person that God and this people and all Israel have chosen. And I want to stay with him.

19 Besides, who is there to serve other than the son? Just as I served your father, I'm now ready to serve you."

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

21 Ahithophel told Absalom, "Go and sleep with your father's concubines, the ones he left to tend to the palace. Everyone will hear that you have openly disgraced your father, and the morale of everyone on your side will be strengthened."

22 So Absalom pitched a tent up on the roof in public view, and went in and slept with his father's concubines.

23 The counsel that Ahithophel gave in those days was treated as if God himself had spoken. That was the reputation of Ahithophel's counsel to David; it was the same with Absalom.

2 Samuel 16:17-23 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.