20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel , "Give your advice . What shall we do ?" 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 ." 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof , and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel . 23 The advice of Ahithophel , which he gave in those days , was as if one inquired of the word of God ; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:20-37
Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:15-23
(Read 2 Samuel 16:15-23)
The wisest counsellors of that age were Ahithophel and Hushai: Absalom thinks himself sure of success, when he has both; on them he relies, and consults not the ark, though he had that with him. But miserable counsellors were they both. Hushai would never counsel him to do wisely. Ahithophel counselled him to do wickedly; and so did as effectually betray him, as he did, who was designedly false to him: for they that advise men to sin, certainly advise them to their hurt. After all, honesty is the best policy, and will be found so in the long run. Ahithophel gave wicked counsel to Absalom; to render himself so hateful to his father, that he would never be reconciled to him; this cursed policy was of the devil. How desperately wicked is the human heart!