15 Meanwhile, Abshalom and all his followers arrived in Yerushalem, and Ahitofel was among them. 16 When David’s friend Hushay (the Arkite) came to Abshalom, he greeted him, “May the king live. May the king live.”

17 “Is that how you show kindness to your friend David?” Abshalom responded. “Why didn’t you go with him?”

18 “No,” Hushay replied. “I’ll serve whoever Yahweh and these people and all the men of Israel have chosen. So I’ll stay with you. 19 Besides that, who should I serve? Why shouldn’t I serve my master’s son? Just as I’ve served your father, similarly, I’ll serve you.”

20 Then Abshalom turned to Ahitofel, “Give us advice. What should we do next?”

21 “Go to your father’s slave-wives that he left to guard the house,” Ahitofel replied. “Lie with them then all Israel will hear that you’ve made your father stink, and then everyone with you will be encouraged.” 22 So they set up a tent for Abshalom on the palace roof and he had sex with his father’s slave-wives where everyone would know what was going on.[ref]

23 In those days, Ahitofel’s advice was just as good as inquiring directly from God, so David in the past, and now Abshalom, accepted what he said.