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Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines that he has left to take care of the house. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” Bible see other translations

“go in to your father’s concubines.” Ahithophel advised Absalom to have sex with David’s concubines. Culturally, this would make an absolute break between Absalom and David, and show that Absalom was taking David’s place as king. However, Ahithophel’s advice may have had another motivation: Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba, whom David basically raped, got pregnant, arranged for her husband Uriah to be killed, and then married. Ahithophel may have thought of Absalom having sex with David’s wives as a kind of revenge. (See commentary on 2 Sam. 15:12). The phrase “go in to” is clear enough, meaning to go in to where the concubines were and have sex with them. Ahithophel was not as graphic as saying, “go into” your father’s wives. The women were concubines, but for the purpose of humiliating David, they were his wives.


Commentary for: 2 Samuel 16:21

 
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