¹⁵Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. ¹⁶And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” ¹⁷“Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?” ¹⁸“Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by this people, and by all the men of Israel — his I will be, and with him I will remain. ¹⁹Furthermore, whom should I serve if not his 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?” ²¹Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of 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. ²³Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.