14. King David and all his people came to the Jordan River. They were tired, so they rested and refreshed themselves there.
15. Meanwhile, Absalom, Ahithophel, and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem.
16. David’s friend, Hushai the Arkite, came to Absalom and told him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17. Absalom answered, “Why are you not loyal to your friend David? Why did you not leave Jerusalem with your friend?”
18. Hushai said, “I belong to the one that the Lord chooses. These people and the people of Israel chose you. I will stay with you.
19. In the past, I served your father. So now I will serve you, David’s son.”
20. Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Please tell us what we should do.”
21. Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Your father left some of his slave women here to take care of the house. Go and have sexual relations with them. Then all the Israelites will hear how you humiliated your father, and they will be encouraged to give you more support.”
22. Then they put up a tent for Absalom up on the roof of the house. Absalom had sexual relations with his father’s wives so that all the Israelites could see what happened.
23. So in those days Ahithophel’s advice was very important. Both David and Absalom accepted his advice as though it were the word of God.