16:16. And when Chusai the Arachite, David's friend, was come to Absalom, he said to him: God save thee, O king, God save thee, O king.
16:17. And Absalom said to him, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? Why wentest thou not with thy friend?
16:18. And Chusai answered Absalom: Nay: for I will be his, whom the Lord hath chosen, and all this people, and all Israel, and with him will I abide.
16:19. Besides this, whom shall I serve? is it not the king's son? as I have served thy father, so will I serve thee also.
16:20. And Absalom said to Achitophel: Consult what we are to do.
16:21. And Achitophel said to Absalom: Go in to the concubines of thy father, whom he hath left to keep the house: that when all Israel shall hear that thou hast disgraced thy father, their hands may be strengthened with thee.
Their hands may be strengthened, etc… The people might apprehend lest Absalom should be reconciled to his father, and therefore 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