2 Samuel 16:23

21 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.

22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

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
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.
KJV
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
WEB
The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the inner sanctuary of God. All the counsel of Ahithophel was like this both with David and with Absalom.
ASV
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
DARBY
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired of the word of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
BLB
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counseled in those days, [was] as if one had inquired at the word of God. So [was] all the counsel of Ahithophel, both with David and with Absalom.
ÅB
I den tid gjaldt et råd som Akitofel gav, like så meget som om en hadde spurt Guds ord til råds; så meget gjaldt hvert råd av Akitofel både hos David og hos Absalom.
OTB
Nå var rådet til Akitofel, som han ga i de dager, som om man spurte ved Guds ord. Slik var alt rådet til Akitofel, både med David og med Absalom.
B1930
I den tid gjaldt et råd som Akitofel gav, like så meget som om en hadde spurt Guds ord til råds; så meget gjaldt hvert råd av Akitofel både hos David og hos Absalom.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 15:12

    And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 17:23

    And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 17:14

    And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 3:19–20

    For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 19:7

    The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 4:22

    For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 11:25

    At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

    Read in context
  • Job 28:28

    And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

    Read in context