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2 Samuel 16:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 16:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give your counsel what we shall do.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give your counsel what we shall do.
2 Samuel 16:20 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
18And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom Jehovah, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
19And again, whom should I serve? [should I] not [serve] in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father`s presence, so will I be in thy presence.
20Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give your counsel what we shall do.
21And 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.
22So 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.
23And 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.
← 2 Samuel 16:192 Samuel 16:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, etc.] Having two such able counsellors as he and Hushai, he directs his speech to Ahithophel, as being his first and chief counsellor: give counsel among you what we shall do; he orders them to form a counsel, consult among themselves what was proper to be now done at Jerusalem, whether it was right to stay here or pursue after David and his men. Absalom did not send to the high priest to ask counsel of God, by Urim and Thummim before the ark, but wholly confided in his privy council.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“AHITHOPHEL'S COUNSEL. (Sa2 16:20-23) Give counsel among you what we shall do--This is the first cabinet council on record, although the deference paid to Ahithophel gave him the entire direction of the proceedings.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Give counsel: Exo 1:10; Psa 2:2, Psa 37:12, Psa 37:13; Pro 21:30; Isa 8:10, Isa 29:15; Mat 27:1; Act 4:23-28 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 16:21”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“After taking possession of the capital of the kingdom, the next thing to do was to form the resolution to take and keep the throne. Absalom therefore turned to Ahithophel, and said, "Give ye counsel what we are to do." The plural הבוּ (give ye) may be explained on the supposition that the other persons present were addressed as well as Ahithophel, as being capable of giving advice. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 16:21”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification