2 Samuel 16:21

“And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, etc.] Either immediately of himself, without consulting with others; or after a consultation had been held between them, he as the president of it, and their mouth, gave the following advice; though the former seems most correct: go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left, to keep the house; and lie with them; there were ten of them, (<101516>2 Samuel 15:16); and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father; this fact will be so abominable to him, and he will so highly resent it, as never to forgive thee, and be reconciled unto thee: then shall the hands of all that [are] with thee be strong; he intimates that they were now weak,…”

“Ahithophel said unto Absalom--This councillor saw that now the die was cast; half measures would be inexpedient. To cut off all possibility of reconciliation between the king and his rebellious son, he gave this atrocious advice regarding the treatment of the royal women who had been left in charge of the palace. Women, being held sacred, are generally left inviolate in the casualties of war. The history of the East affords only one parallel to this infamous outrage of Absalom. Next: 2 Samuel Chapter 17”

“Taking possession of the harem was the most decided act of sovereignty (see 1 Kings 2:22). It was also the greatest offence and insult that could be offered. Such an act on Absalom’s part made reconciliation impossible. A further motive has been found in this advice, namely, the desire on the part of Ahithophel to make David taste the bitterness of that cup which he had caused others (Uriah and all Bath-sheba’s family) to drink, and receive the measure which he had meted withal. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on 2 Samuel 16". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible".…”

“Go - This counsel he gave, partly to revenge the injury done to Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, Sa2 11:3, who was the son of Ahithophel, Sa2 23:34, and principally for his own, and the people's safety, that the breach between David and Absalom might be irreparable. For this would provoke David in the highest degree and cut of all hope of reconciliation, which otherwise might have been expected by some treaty between Absalom and his tender - hearted father. But in that case his followers, and especially Ahithophel, had been left to David's mercy, and therefore obliged to prosecute the war with all vigour, and to abandon all thoughts of peace: as knowing that his father, though be might…”

“16:21 Go and sleep with your father’s concubines: A usurper took a predecessor’s harem to assert or strengthen his claim to the throne (see 3:7). Absalom’s action was in violation of Deut 22:30.”

“Go in: Gen 6:4, Gen 38:16 unto thy: Sa2 12:11, Sa2 15:16, Sa2 20:3; Gen 35:22; Lev 18:8, Lev 20:11; Kg1 2:17, Kg1 2:22; Co1 5:1 abhorred: Gen 34:30; Sa1 13:4 thy father: Gen 49:3, Gen 49:4 then shall: Sa1 27:12 the hands: Sa2 2:7; Zac 8:13 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 16:22”

“Ahithophel gave the following counsel: "Go to thy father's concubines, whom he hath left behind to keep the house (i.e., lie with them: for אל בּוא, compare Sa2 3:7, etc.); so will all Israel hear that thou hast made thyself stinking with thy father, and the hands of all those who are with thee will strengthen themselves." This advice was sagacious enough. Lying with the king's concubines was an appropriation of the royal harem, and, as such, a complete usurpation of the throne (see at Sa2 3:7), which would render any reconciliation between Absalom and his father utterly impossible, and therefore would of necessity instigate the followers of Absalom to maintain his cause with all the greater…”