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NASB | 2 Samuel 16:21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Samuel 16:21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left behind to take care of the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened [by your boldness and audacity]." |
Bible Question (short): Why did Ahithophel offer wicked counsel? |
Question (full): I can't help wondering, why would Ahithophel offer Absolom this counsel? Matthew Henry's commentary notes that it may have been because Bathsheba was Ahithophel's granddaughter, and so he may have wanted to avenge himself on David for David's treatment of Bathsheba, in fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy (2 Sam 12:11-12.) This raises two questions in my mind. 1.) Was this counsel of Ahithophel's actually a sound policy for Absolom to pursue, in view of the fact that he wanted to take the kingdom, despite the fact that it violated the jewish law stated in Leviticus 20:11? 2.) Is it fair to see this as a wicked consequence of David's lust, as lust spread like a cancer, and ultimately resulted in the destruction of Israel and the carrying off of the entire nation into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon? |