19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you."
19 And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you."
19 Besides, who is there to serve other than the son? Just as I served your father, I'm now ready to serve you."
19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence."
19 "And anyway, why shouldn't I serve you? Just as I was your father's adviser, now I will be your adviser!"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:19
Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:15-23
(Read 2 Samuel 16:15-23)
The wisest counsellors of that age were Ahithophel and Hushai: Absalom thinks himself sure of success, when he has both; on them he relies, and consults not the ark, though he had that with him. But miserable counsellors were they both. Hushai would never counsel him to do wisely. Ahithophel counselled him to do wickedly; and so did as effectually betray him, as he did, who was designedly false to him: for they that advise men to sin, certainly advise them to their hurt. After all, honesty is the best policy, and will be found so in the long run. Ahithophel gave wicked counsel to Absalom; to render himself so hateful to his father, that he would never be reconciled to him; this cursed policy was of the devil. How desperately wicked is the human heart!