Home
Bible
2 Samuel
Chapter 16
Verse 16

2 Samuel 16:20

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

American Standard Version (1901)

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give your counsel what we shall do.

Bible in Basic English

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, Give your opinion now, what are we to do?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And Absalom said to Achitophel: Consult what we are to do.

Free Bible Version

Then Absalom asked Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What shall we do?”

Geneva Bible 1599

Then spake Absalom to Ahithophel, Giue counsell what we shall doe.

King James (Authorized) Version

¶ Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

Translation for Translators

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “What do you advise that we should do?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice about what we should do.”

Noah Webster Bible

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

World English Bible

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”

Young's Literal Translation

And Absalom saith unto Ahithophel, 'Give for you counsel what we do.'

Context

The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai

¹⁹Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.”²⁰Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

Summary

In this verse, Absalom seeks advice from Ahithophel on how to deal with his father, David, who has been betrayed by his counselor, Hushai. Ahithophel's counsel is to pursue David immediately with a small force, hoping to catch him off guard and defeat him decisively. This moment marks a critical turning point in the rebellion of Absalom against David, as the advice of Ahithophel is seen as shrewd and strategic in the unfolding political drama within the kingdom of Israel.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

After taking possession of the capital of the kingdom, the next thing to do was to form the resolution to take and keep the throne. Absalom therefore turned to Ahithophel, and said, "Give ye counsel what we are to do." The plural הבוּ (give ye) may be explained on the supposition that the other persons present were addressed as well as Ahithophel, as being capable of giving advice.

2 Samuel 16:20

The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai

¹⁹Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.”²⁰Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

American Standard Version (1901)

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give your counsel what we shall do.

Bible in Basic English

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, Give your opinion now, what are we to do?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And Absalom said to Achitophel: Consult what we are to do.

Free Bible Version

Then Absalom asked Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What shall we do?”

Geneva Bible 1599

Then spake Absalom to Ahithophel, Giue counsell what we shall doe.

King James (Authorized) Version

¶ Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

Translation for Translators

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “What do you advise that we should do?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice about what we should do.”

Noah Webster Bible

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

World English Bible

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”

Young's Literal Translation

And Absalom saith unto Ahithophel, 'Give for you counsel what we do.'