2 Samuel 16:22

Verse

So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

So they put up the tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father's women before the eyes of all Israel.

Douay-Rheims 1899

So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and he went in to his father’s concubines before all Israel.

Free Bible Version

So they put up a tent on the palace roof and Absalom went in and had sex with his father's concubines in the full view of everyone.

Geneva Bible 1599

So they spread Absalom a tent vpon the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his fathers concubines in the sight of all Israel.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

So they set up a tent for Absalom on the roof of the palace. And Absalom went into the tent and had sex [EUP] with his father’s slave wives, one by one, and everyone [HYP] could see him going into the tent.

Unlocked Literal Bible

So they spread for Absalom a tent on the top of the palace, and Absalom slept with his father's slave wives in the sight of all Israel.

Noah Webster Bible

So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

World English Bible

So they spread 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.

Young's Literal Translation

And they spread out for Absalom the tent on the roof, and Absalom goeth in unto the concubines of his father before the eyes of all Israel.

Context

The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai

²¹Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”²²So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

Summary

This verse captures the tense political situation in King David's court as Absalom's rebellion unfolds. Ahithophel's counsel was highly regarded, and his betrayal by supporting Absalom was a significant blow to David's leadership. However, God intervened by turning Ahithophel's advice into foolishness, ultimately preserving David's reign. This event serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over human affairs and His ability to thwart the plans of the wicked, ensuring His purposes prevail in the end.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch
John Gill
Tyndale

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

Absalom had a tent put up on the roof of the king's palace, that his going in to the concubines might be done publicly in the sight of all Israel. For (as the historian adds in Sa2 16:23 by way of explanation) the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was like a divine oracle both with David and with Absalom. The words from ועצת to ההם are placed at the commencement absolutely: "and (as for) the counsel of Ahithophel, ... as if one inquired the word of God, so was every counsel of Ahithophel." The Masoretes have supplied אישׁ as the Keri to ישׁאל. This is correct so far as the sense is concerned, but it is quite unnecessary, as ישׁאל may be taken impersonally. האלהים בּדבר שׁאל is to be explained from the formula בּעלהים שׁאל (see at Jdg 1:1).

2 Samuel 16:22

The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Bible in Basic English

So they put up the tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father's women before the eyes of all Israel.

Douay-Rheims 1899

So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and he went in to his father’s concubines before all Israel.

Free Bible Version

So they put up a tent on the palace roof and Absalom went in and had sex with his father's concubines in the full view of everyone.

Geneva Bible 1599

So they spread Absalom a tent vpon the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his fathers concubines in the sight of all Israel.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

So they spread for Absalom a tent on the top of the palace, and Absalom slept with his father's slave wives in the sight of all Israel.

Noah Webster Bible

So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

World English Bible

So they spread 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.

Young's Literal Translation

And they spread out for Absalom the tent on the roof, and Absalom goeth in unto the concubines of his father before the eyes of all Israel.

Keil-Delitzsch
John Gill
Tyndale

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

2 Samuel 16:22

Verse

Context

The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai

Summary

Commentary

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

2 Samuel 16:22

The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes