2 Samuel 16:21

And 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.

And Ahithophel {H302} said {H559} unto Absalom {H53}, Go in {H935} unto thy father's {H1} concubines {H6370}, which he hath left {H3240} to keep {H8104} the house {H1004}; and all Israel {H3478} shall hear {H8085} that thou art abhorred {H887} of thy father {H1}: then shall the hands {H3027} of all that are with thee be strong {H2388}.

Achitofel answered Avshalom, "Go in, and sleep with your father's concubines, the ones he left to take care of the palace. All Isra'el will hear that your father utterly despises you, and this will strengthen the position of all those who are on your side."

Ahithophel 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.”

And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, that he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then will the hands of all that are with thee be strong.

Commentary

2 Samuel 16:21 records Ahithophel's chilling advice to Absalom during his rebellion against King David. This verse marks a pivotal and dark turn in the narrative, revealing the depth of the conspiracy and the ruthless strategy employed to solidify Absalom's claim to the throne.

Context

This verse takes place during Absalom's revolt against his father, King David. David has fled Jerusalem, leaving behind ten of his concubines to keep the house (2 Samuel 15:16). Absalom, having entered the city, seeks counsel from Ahithophel, a former trusted advisor to David who had defected to Absalom's side (2 Samuel 15:31). Ahithophel's counsel was highly regarded, "as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God" (2 Samuel 16:23).

Key Themes

  • Usurpation of Authority: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, taking possession of a king's concubines or wives was a symbolic act of claiming his throne and authority. By publicly defiling David's concubines, Absalom was asserting his kingship and utterly discrediting David's claim.
  • Irreversibility of Rebellion: Ahithophel's cunning advice was designed to make reconciliation between Absalom and David impossible. Once Absalom committed such an egregious act, there would be no turning back, thus solidifying the loyalty of his followers who would know their fate was intertwined with Absalom's success. This ensured their commitment and strengthened their resolve ("then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong").
  • Moral Depravity and Betrayal: The act itself was not only politically strategic but also a profound moral transgression – an act of incest and public humiliation against his own father. It highlights the destructive and corrupting nature of unchecked ambition and rebellion.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This heinous act also serves as a direct fulfillment of the prophecy given to David by Nathan the prophet concerning the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba: "Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun" (2 Samuel 12:11).

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "abhorred" is ta'av (תָּעַב), which means to detest, loathe, or abominate. It conveys a deep, visceral disgust, emphasizing that David would find Absalom utterly repulsive, making any future reconciliation unthinkable.
  • "Then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong" implies that the soldiers and supporters of Absalom would be emboldened and committed, knowing there was no option but to fight to the end. This psychological effect was a crucial part of Ahithophel's strategy.

Strategic Implications

Ahithophel's counsel was not merely an act of vengeance but a shrewd political maneuver. It was a clear, unmistakable declaration of war and an irreversible commitment to Absalom's reign. By cutting off all avenues for retreat or reconciliation, Ahithophel aimed to secure absolute loyalty and prevent any wavering among Absalom's forces, ensuring they would fight with full conviction against David.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of rebellion and unbridled ambition. It illustrates how sin, once set in motion, can lead to increasingly depraved acts, bringing destruction not only upon the perpetrator but also upon those around them. It also highlights the danger of evil counsel, which, though seemingly wise or strategic, ultimately leads to ruin. The fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy also underscores God's sovereignty and the certainty of His justice, even when delivered through human wickedness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 20:3

    And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women [his] concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.

  • 2 Samuel 15:16

    And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, [which were] concubines, to keep the house.

  • Leviticus 18:8

    The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it [is] thy father's nakedness.

  • Zechariah 8:13

    And it shall come to pass, [that] as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, [but] let your hands be strong.

  • 2 Samuel 2:7

    Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.

  • 1 Samuel 27:12

    And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.

  • Genesis 38:16

    And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she [was] his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?
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