16:23 In those days Ahithophel’s advice was considered as valuable as a prophetic revelation. 5 Both David and Absalom highly regarded the advice of Ahithophel. 6
1 tn Heb “go to”; NAB “have (+ sexual NCV) relations with”; TEV “have intercourse with”; NLT “Go and sleep with.”
2 tn Heb “and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”
3 sn That is, on top of the flat roof of the palace, so it would be visible to the public.
4 tn Heb “went to”; NAB “he visited his father’s concubines”; NIV “lay with his father’s concubines”; TEV “went in and had intercourse with.”
5 tn Heb “And the advice of Ahithophel which he advised in those days was as when one inquires of the word of God.”
6 tn Heb “So was all the advice of Ahithophel, also to David, also to Absalom.”