Bible Strands
2 Samuel 16:20
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Absalom speaks to his trusted advisor Ahithophel immediately after Ziba’s pledge of allegiance, requesting strategic direction for his rebellion.
The words — The imperative הָב֥וּ (ha.Vu) commands “give,” directly paired with עֵצָ֖ה ('e.Tzah), which literally means “counsel” or “strategic plan.”
The thread — This dynamic of conspirators soliciting tactical advice recurs in Exodus 1:10 and parallels the coordinated gathering of rulers described in Psalm 2:2.
Why it lands — The text records a rebel’s demand for strategy before any plan is revealed, requiring a reader to evaluate the source and intent behind every piece of counsel received.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
Cross-references
- Exodus 1:10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”
- Psalms 2:2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:
- Psalms 37:12 The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,
- Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- Isaiah 8:10 Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”
- Isaiah 29:15 Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”
- Matthew 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people conspired against Jesus to put Him to death.
- Acts 4:23 On their release, Peter and John returned to their own people and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them.