2 Samuel 16:21
ESV
Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father 's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened."
NIV
Ahithophel answered, "Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute."
NASB
Ahithophel said to Absalom, 'Have relations with your father’s concubines, whom he has left behind to take care of the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself repulsive to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.'
CSB
Ahithophel replied to Absalom, "Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged."
NLT
Ahithophel told him, 'Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, for he has left them here to look after the palace. Then all Israel will know that you have insulted your father beyond hope of reconciliation, and they will throw their support to you.'
KJV
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.
NKJV
And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.”
What does 2 Samuel 16:21 mean?
Ahithophel is well-known and deeply respected for his wise counsel. Absalom has asked what he should do next to fully claim the kingship of Israel and secure it from his father. Ahithophel's suggestion is bold, ruthless, and fully in keeping with the customs of the time. He tells Absalom to have sex with those of David's concubines who stayed behind in Jerusalem to care for David's house (2 Samuel 15:16).Ahithophel knows that news of such behavior will quickly travel throughout the kingdom and make two things clear to all the people. First, the act will do what Absalom's murder of his brother couldn't: make sure David and Absalom can never be reconciled. Second, those loyal to Absalom will see that he is completely committed to claiming the throne for himself. They will support him against anyone who sides with David.
In keeping with the custom of kings in that era, David has many wives and concubines (1 Chronicles 3:1–9). Most of his wives probably represent his alliances with foreign kings and powerful local clans. A king's wives and concubines are symbols of international power and domestic authority. When a king comes into power, he inherits the former king's harem (2 Samuel 12:8). If Absalom takes David's concubines publicly, he will claim dominance and authority over his father.
He will also be fulfilling God's curse on David. After David took Bathsheba and murdered Uriah, God cursed David, saying evil would arise from his household and his wives would go to another. In fact, although David took Bathsheba in private, David's "neighbor" "shall lie with [his] wives in the sight of the sun" (2 Samuel 12:9–12).
Ironically, with this act, God's purpose for Absalom is complete. Absalom will no longer be God's instrument of justice, he'll become God's victim. God will use the men who are fleeing to punish Absalom for betraying his father.
