2 Samuel 16:16-21
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 16
16Now it came about, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, 'Long live the king! Long live the king!' 17But Absalom said to Hushai, 'Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?' 18So Hushai said to Absalom, 'No! For whomever the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I shall be, and with him I shall remain. 19Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? Just as I have served in your father’s presence, so I shall be in your presence.'
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, 'Give your advice. What should we do?'
21Ahithophel said to Absalom, 'Have relations with your father’s concubines, whom he has left behind to take care of the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself repulsive to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.'
King James Version
17And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
18And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the Lord, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
19And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
20Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
21And 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.
Christian Standard Bible
17"Is this your loyalty to your friend?" Absalom asked Hushai. "Why didn’t you go with your friend?"
New Living Translation
English Standard Version
Chapter 16
16And when Hushai the Archite, David 's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" 17And Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?" 18And Hushai said to Absalom, "No, for whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you."
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give your counsel. What shall we do?"
21Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father 's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened."
New International Version
New King James Version
18And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain.
19Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”