2 Samuel 16:18
Verse 18 of 23. The 16th of 24 chapters in 2 Samuel, in History.
14The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary; and he refreshed himself there.
15Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
16When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”
18Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but whomever the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, I will be his, and I will stay with him.
19Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn’t I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.”
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”
21Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines that he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.”
22So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
World English Bible. Public domain. Set as prose throughout, including the poetry, because the text is published to us without its lines.