And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.

2 SAMUEL 16:21KJV
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2 Samuel 16:21 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 16:21 mean?

2 Samuel 16:21 describes Ahithophel advising Absalom to sleep with King David’s concubines, who had been left behind to take care of the palace. Ahithophel says this act will show all Israel that Absalom has completely broken with his father, David, and will strengthen the resolve of Absalom’s supporters.

In this verse, Ahithophel, who was once David’s trusted counselor but now sides with Absalom, gives advice meant to make Absalom’s rebellion irreversible. By taking David’s concubines, Absalom would publicly shame his father and make reconciliation impossible. This act was a bold and shocking way to show the nation that Absalom was now claiming the throne for himself.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 16:21

  • "Go in" (בּוֹא, bo’): This Hebrew word is often used as a polite way to refer to sexual relations. Here, it makes clear the nature of Ahithophel’s advice, which was not just about taking over the palace but making a public statement.
  • "Concubines" (פִּילֶגֶשׁ, pilegesh): This word refers to secondary wives or women of lower status than the queen. In ancient Israel, taking a king’s concubines was a symbolic act of seizing his authority.
  • "Abhorred" (נִבְעַר, nib’ar): This word means to be utterly despised or rejected. Ahithophel’s advice was meant to make it clear to everyone that there was no going back in the relationship between Absalom and David.
  • "Hands...be strong" (יָדַיִם...חָזַק, yadayim...chazaq): This phrase means to be encouraged or made bold. Ahithophel’s plan was to give Absalom’s followers confidence that their cause was now the dominant one.

Why 2 Samuel 16:21 matters

  • This verse shows how political power struggles in ancient Israel could involve deeply personal and public acts, not just military action.
  • Understanding the symbolism of taking a king’s concubines helps explain why this advice was so shocking and why it would make reconciliation between David and Absalom impossible.
  • The verse highlights Ahithophel’s cunning and the seriousness of Absalom’s rebellion, setting the stage for the dramatic events that follow in the story.

Where else these words appear

“abhorred” Hebrew H887 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Exodus 16:20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they had made themselves odious to David, Hanun and the children of Ammon sent a thousand talents of silver to hire them chariots and horsemen out of Mesopotamia, and out of Syriamaachah, and out of Zobah.

“Ahithophel” Hebrew H302 · used in 17 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:12 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
  • 2 Samuel 16:23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
  • 2 Samuel 17:15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.

“concubines” Hebrew H6370 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 22:24 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.
  • Judges 19:27 And her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way: and, behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, and her hands were upon the threshold.
  • 2 Samuel 21:11 And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.

“left” Hebrew H3240 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
  • Judges 3:1 Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
  • Ecclesiastes 2:18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.