And Ahithophel saith unto Absalom, 'Go in unto the concubines of thy father, whom he left to keep the house, and all Israel hath heard that thou hast been abhorred by thy father, and the hands of all who are with thee have been strong.'2 Samuel 16:21 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the BibleGo in unto thy father's concubines - It may be remembered that David left ten of them behind to take care of the house, see 2 Samuel 15:16. Ahithophel advised this infernal measure, in order to prevent the possibility of a reconciliation between David and his son; thus was the prophecy to Nathan fulfilled, 2 Samuel 12:11. And this was probably transacted in the very same place where David's eye took the adulterous view of Bath-sheba; see 2 Samuel 11:2.
The wives of the conquered king were always the property of the conqueror; and in possessing these, he appeared to possess the right to the kingdom. Herodotus informs us that Smerdis, having seized on the Persian throne after the death of Cambyses, espoused all the wives of his predecessor, lib. iii., c. 68. But for a son to take his father's wives was the sum of abomination, and was death by the law of God, Leviticus 20:11. This was a sin rarely found, even among the Gentiles.
Every part of the conduct of Absalom shows him to have been a most profligate young man; he was proud, vindictive, adulterous, incestuous, a parricide, and, in fine, reprobate to every good word and work. We still however recollect that David had grievously sinned, and we should also recollect that he suffered grievously for it; and that his humiliation, repentance, and amendment, were most decisive and exemplary. Reader, God is as just as he is merciful.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Go in
Genesis 6:4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men...
Genesis 38:16 And he turned to her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray you, let me come in to you...
unto thy
2 Samuel 12:11 Thus said the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes...
2 Samuel 15:16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
2 Samuel 20:3 And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house...
Genesis 35:22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelled in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it...
Leviticus 18:8 The nakedness of your father's wife shall you not uncover: it is your father's nakedness.
Leviticus 20:11 And the man that lies with his father's wife has uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death...
1 Kings 2:17,22 And he said, Speak, I pray you, to Solomon the king, (for he will not say you no,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife...
1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles...
abhorred
Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, You have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land...
1 Samuel 13:4 And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines...
thy father
Genesis 49:3,4 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power...
then shall
1 Samuel 27:12 And Achish believed David, saying, He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.
the hands
2 Samuel 2:7 Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be you valiant: for your master Saul is dead...
Zechariah 8:13 And it shall come to pass, that as you were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you...
2 Samuel 16:21 Parallel Commentaries
Abhorred Absalom Ab'salom Ahithophel Ahith'ophel Care Concubines Father's Hands Hear House Israel Lie Nostrils Odious Palace Stench Strengthened StrongAbhorred Absalom Ab'salom Ahithophel Ahith'ophel Care Concubines Father's Hands Hear House Israel Lie Nostrils Odious Palace Stench Strengthened StrongTHE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.2 Samuel 16:21 Mobile Bible
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