18. Hushai replied to Absalom: “On the contrary, I am his whom the Lord and all this people and all Israel have chosen, and with him I will stay.
19. Furthermore, as I was in attendance upon your father, so will I be before you. Whom should I serve, if not his son?”
20. Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Offer your counsel on what we should do.”
21. Ahithophel replied to Absalom: “Go to your father’s concubines, whom he left behind to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears how odious you have made yourself to your father, all those on your side will take courage.”
22. So a tent was pitched on the roof for Absalom, and Absalom went to his father’s concubines in view of all Israel.
23. Now the counsel given by Ahithophel at that time was as though one sought the word of God. Such was all the counsel of Ahithophel both to David and to Absalom.