16. And when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, had gone to Absalom, he said to him: "May you be well, O king! May you be well, O king!"
17. And Absalom said to him: "Is this your kindness to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"
18. And Hushai responded to Absalom: "By no means! For I will be his, whom the Lord has chosen. And I, and all this people, and all of Israel, will remain with him.
19. But then too, I declare this: whom should I serve? Is it not the son of the king? Just as I have been subject to your father, so will I be subject to you also."
20. Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Present a counsel as to what we ought to do."
21. And Ahithophel said to Absalom: "Enter to the concubines of your father, whom he left behind in order to care for the house. Thus, when all of Israel will hear that you disgraced your father, their hands may be strengthened with you."