^{21 Ref} And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in to your father's women who are here looking after his house; then all Israel will have the news that you are hated by your father, and the hands of your supporters will be strong.

^{22 Ref} 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.

^{23 Ref} In those days the opinions of Ahithophel were valued as highly as if through him a man might get direction from God; so were they valued by David as much as by Absalom.