2-Samuel - 16:20



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

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of 2-Samuel 16:20.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And Absalom said to Achitophel: Consult what we are to do.
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, Give your opinion now, what are we to do?
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Present a counsel as to what we ought to do."

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel,.... Having two such able counsellors as he and Hushai, he directs his speech to Ahithophel, as being his first and chief counsellor:
give counsel among you what we shall do; he orders them to form a counsel, consult among themselves what was proper to be now done at Jerusalem, whether it was right to stay here or pursue after David and his men. Absalom did not send to the high priest to ask counsel of God, by Urim and Thummim before the ark, but wholly confided in his privy council.

AHITHOPHEL'S COUNSEL. (2-Samuel 16:20-23)
Give counsel among you what we shall do--This is the first cabinet council on record, although the deference paid to Ahithophel gave him the entire direction of the proceedings.

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.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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