Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
Parallel translations
- WEB Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”
- BSB Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”
- NKJV Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.”
- NASB Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your advice. What should we do?”
- NLT Then Absalom turned to Ahithophel and asked him, “What should I do next?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Absalom turns to Ahithophel for counsel on how to proceed. This introduces the rebellion's most dangerous adviser and the testing of David's prayer against him.
Overview
With Jerusalem seized, Absalom seeks strategic guidance from Ahithophel, whose wisdom was famed (v. 23). David had prayed for this counsel to be turned to foolishness (15:31), so the chapter sets the stage for that prayer's answer. The narrative underscores that human wisdom, however shrewd, cannot prevail against the LORD's purpose to preserve His king.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Ps 37:12–13The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
- Matt 27:1When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
- Isa 8:10Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
- Exod 1:10Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
- Acts 4:23–28And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
- Ps 2:2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
- Prov 21:30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
- Isa 29:15Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 16:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.