^{15 Ref} And Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

^{16 Ref} And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, `Long' live the king, `Long' live the king.

^{17 Ref} And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

^{18 Ref} And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom Jehovah, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

^{19 Ref} And again, whom should I serve? `should I' not `serve' in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.

^{20 Ref} Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give your counsel what we shall do.

^{21 Ref} 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.

^{22 Ref} So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

^{23 Ref} And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.