2 Samuel 16:20

Absalom Ahithophel

¹⁸ “Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain.

¹⁹ Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.”

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

²¹ Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

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.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”
KJV: Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
WEB: Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”
ASV: Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give your counsel what we shall do.
DARBY: And Absalom said to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
BLB: And Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give to us counsel as to what we should do.”

ÅB: Så sa Absalom til Akitofel: Gi nå dere et råd og si hva vi skal gjøre!
OTB: Da sa Absalom til Akitofel, "Gi oss råd. Hva skal vi gjøre?"
B1930: Så sa Absalom til Akitofel: Gi nu I et råd og si hvad vi skal gjøre!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Psalms 2:2
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:
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Acts 4:23–28
On their release, Peter and John returned to their own people and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
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Proverbs 21:30
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
Read in context
Isaiah 29:15
Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”
Read in context
Psalms 37:12–13
The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,
Read in context
Exodus 1:10
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”
Read in context
Matthew 27:1
When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.
Read in context
Isaiah 8:10
Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”
Read in context