herefore they folllowed
him with some fear of being left in the lurch, till they saw such a
crime committed as seemed to make a reconciliation impossible.

16:22. So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and he
went in to his father's concubines before all Israel.

16:23. Now the counsel of Achitophel, which he gave in those days, was
as if a man should consult God: so was all the counsel of Achitophel,
both when he was with David, and when he was with Absalom.

2 Kings Chapter 17

Achitophel's counsel is defeated by Chusai: who sendeth intelligence to
David. Achitophel hangeth himself.

17:1. And Achitophel said to Absalom: I will choose me twelve thousand
men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night.

17:2. And coming upon him (for he is now weary, and weak handed) I will
defeat him: and when all the people is put to flight that is with him, I
will kill the king who will be left alone.

17:3. And I will bring back all the people, as if they were but one man:
for thou seekest but one man: and all the people shall be in peace.

17:4. And his saying pleased Absalom, and all the ancients of Israel.

17:5. But Absalom said: Call Chusai the Arachite, and let us hear what
he also saith.

17:6. And when Chusai was come to Absalom, Absalom said to him:
Achitophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do it or not? what
counsel dost thou give?

17:7. And Chusai said to Absalom: The counsel that Achitophel hath given
this time is not good.

17:8. And again Chusai said: Thou knowest thy father, and the men that
are with him, that they are very valiant, and bitter in their mind, as a
bear raging in the wood when her whelps are taken away: and thy father
is a warrior, and will not lodge with the people.

17:9. Perhaps he now lieth hid in pits, or in some other place where he
liest: and when any one shall fall at the first, every one that heareth
it shall say: There is a slaughter among the people that followed
Absalom.

17:10. And the most valiant man whose heart is as the heart of a lion,
shall melt for fear: for all the people of Israel know thy father to be
a valiant man, and that all who are with him are valiant.

17:11. But this seemeth to me to be good counsel: Let all Israel be
gathered to thee, from Dan to Bersabee, as the sand of the sea which
cannot be numbered: and thou shalt be in the midst of them.

17:12. And we shall come upon him in what place soever he shall be
f