2 Samuel 16:21
And Achitophel said to Absalom: Go in to the concubines of thy father, whom he hath left to keep the house: that when all Israel shall hear that thou hast disgraced thy father, their hands may be strengthened with thee. Their hands may be strengthened, etc... The people might apprehend lest Absalom should be reconciled to his father, and therefore they folllowed him with some fear of being left in the lurch, till they saw such a crime committed as seemed to make a reconciliation impossible.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner, 1752)
In The King James Version
In Context
20And Absalom said to Achitophel: Consult what we are to do.
Cross References
Genesis 6:4Now giants were upon the earth in those days. For after the sons of God went in to the daughters of men, and they brought forth children, these are the mighty men of old, men of renown. Giants... It is likely the generality of men before the flood were of a gigantic stature in comparison with what men now are. But these here spoken of are called giants, as being not only tall in stature, but violent and savage in their dispositions, and mere monsters of cruelty and lust.
Genesis 35:22And when he dwelt in that country, Ruben went, and slept with Bala the concubine of his father: which he was not ignorant of. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. The concubine... She was his lawful wife; but, according to the style of the Hebrews, is called concubine, because of her servile extraction.
Genesis 49:3Ruben, my firstborn, thou art my strength, and the beginning of my sorrow; excelling in gifts, greater in command. My strength, etc... He calls him his strength, as being born whilst his father was in his full strength and vigour: he calls him the beginning of his sorrow, because cares and sorrows usually come on with the birth of children. Excelling in gifts, etc., because the firstborn had a title to a double portion, and to have the command over his brethren, which Ruben forfeited by his sin; being poured out as water, that is, spilt and lost.
Leviticus 20:11If a man lie with his stepmother, and discover the nakedness of his father, let them both be put to death: their blood be upon them.
1 Samuel 27:12And Achis believed David, saying: He hath done much harm to his people Israel: Therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
2 Samuel 10:6And the children of Ammon seeing that they had done an injury to David, sent and hired the Syrians of Rohob, and the Syrians of Soba, twenty thousand footmen, and of the king of Maacha a thousand men, and of Istob twelve thousand men.
Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 16:16-23
Hushai Deceives Absalom; Ahithophel's Wicked Counsel. ( b. c. 1023.) 15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. 17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? 18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the Lord , and this people, and all the men… Read the whole commentary →