2 Samuel 16:16-22
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 16
16Now it came about, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, 'Long live the king! Long live the king!' 17But Absalom said to Hushai, 'Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?' 18So Hushai said to Absalom, 'No! For whomever the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I shall be, and with him I shall remain. 19Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? Just as I have served in your father’s presence, so I shall be in your presence.'
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, 'Give your advice. What should we do?'
21Ahithophel 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.'
22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom had relations with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
King James Version
Chapter 16
16And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. 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 the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, 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 counsel among you what we shall do. 21And 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. 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.Christian Standard Bible
18"Not at all," Hushai answered Absalom. "I am on the side of the one that the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him.
19Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father's presence, I will also serve in yours."
21Ahithophel 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."
22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
New Living Translation
18I’m here because I belong to the man who is chosen by the Lord and by all the men of Israel,' Hushai replied.
19And anyway, why shouldn’t I serve you? Just as I was your father’s adviser, now I will be your adviser!'
21Ahithophel 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.'
22So 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.
English Standard Version
Chapter 16
16And when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17And Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” 18And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, for whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you.”
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?”
21Ahithophel 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.”
22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
New International Version
18Hushai said to Absalom, 'No, the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, and by all the men of Israel--his I will be, and I will remain with him.
19Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.'
21Ahithophel 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.'
22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
New King James Version
18And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain.
19Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”
21And 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.”
22So 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.