2 Samuel 16:22
ESV
So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father 's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
NIV
So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
NASB
So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom had relations with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
CSB
So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
NLT
So they set up a tent on the palace roof where everyone could see it, and Absalom went in and had sex with his father’s concubines.
KJV
So 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.
NKJV
So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
What does 2 Samuel 16:22 mean?
Ahithophel, David's former counselor, is giving helpful advice to Absalom, David's rebellious son. His suggestion is that Absalom publicly have sex with David's concubines. This will make it clear to everyone in the kingdom that he claims David's kingship for himself. Absalom agrees, and a tent is set up on the roof of David's house. Everyone watching will see Absalom and David's concubines enter that tent together and fully understand what is happening (2 Samuel 16:20–21).Absalom's act of sleeping with David's concubines is the direct fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy about God's judgment for David's sin:
"Thus says the Lord, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.'"-–2 Samuel 12:11–12Even though God prophesied this, and ordained it, Absalom is still guilty for his sin. He chooses to rebel against his father. He chooses to turn much of the nation against God's anointed king. He chooses to power-rape David's concubines. God uses Absalom's sinful nature as part of His plan to chastise David, but Absalom is still responsible for what he does.
His act essentially signs his own death warrant. God's curses against David are complete. God has no more use for Absalom. Despite Ahithophel's wise advice, Absalom will continue his string of unwise choices until he's killed (2 Samuel 18:14–15).
God can use foolish people for His good. That doesn't mean foolish people used by God are necessarily good.
