2 Samuel 16:21

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.”

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

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.

²³ Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.

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: 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.”
KJV: And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
WEB: Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines that he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.”
ASV: And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father`s concubines, that he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then will the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
DARBY: And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in to thy father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art become odious with thy father; and the hands of all that are with thee shall be strong.
BLB: And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to the concubines of your father, whom he has left to keep the house. And all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

ÅB: Akitofel svarte: Gå inn til din fars medhustruer som han lot bli tilbake for å ta vare på huset! Når da hele Israel får høre at du har gjort deg forhatt hos din far, så vil motet økes hos alle som er med deg.
OTB: Og Akitofel sa til Absalom, "Gå inn til din fars medhustruer som han lot bli igjen for å holde huset; da vil hele Israel høre at du har gjort deg avskyelig for din far. Da vil hendene til alle som er med deg bli styrket."
B1930: Akitofel svarte: Gå inn til din fars medhustruer som han lot bli tilbake for å ta vare på huset! Når da hele Israel får høre at du har gjort dig forhatt hos din far, så vil motet økes hos alle som er med dig.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Samuel 20:3
When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace, and he placed them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but he no longer slept with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.
Read in context
2 Samuel 15:16
Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace.
Read in context
2 Samuel 2:7
Now then, be strong and courageous, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me as their king.”
Read in context
Leviticus 18:8
You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.
Read in context
Zechariah 8:13
As you have been a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid; let your hands be strong.”
Read in context
1 Kings 2:17
Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.”
Read in context
Genesis 49:3–4
Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
Read in context
Genesis 34:30
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”
Read in context