2 Samuel 16:15-23 - Hushai Comes To Absalom

15 Absalom and all Israel's troops came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was with him. 16 David's friend Hushai from Archi's family came to Absalom. He said: Long live the king! Long live the king!

17 Is this how loyal you are to your friend? Absalom asked Hushai. Why did you not go with him?

18 Hushai answered: Jehovah and the people of Israel have chosen you to be king. I cannot leave. I must stay and serve the one they have chosen. 19 After all it seems right for me to serve you, just as I served your father.

20 Absalom turned to Ahithophel and said: Give us your advice! What should we do?

21 Ahithophel answered: Some of your father's wives were left here to take care of the palace. You should have sex with them. Then everyone will find out that you have publicly disgraced your father. This will make you and your followers even more powerful. 22 They pitched a tent for Absalom on the palace roof. There in the sight of everyone Absalom went in and had intercourse with his father's concubines.

23 Any advice that Ahithophel gave in those days was accepted as though it were the very word of God. David and Absalom followed it.