Ahithophel answered, "Go and have intercourse with your father's concubines whom he left behind to take care of the palace. Then everyone in Israel will know that your father regards you as his enemy, and your followers will be greatly encouraged."

Any advice that Ahithophel gave in those days was accepted as though it were the very word of God; both David and Absalom followed it.

Not long after that, Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me choose twelve thousand men, and tonight I will set out after David.

and then bring back all his men to you, like a bride returning to her husband. You want to kill only one man; the rest of the people will be safe."

You become the friend of every thief you see, and you associate with adulterers.

"You are always ready to speak evil; you never hesitate to tell lies.

My child, when you stop learning, you will soon neglect what you already know.

So the girl went out and asked her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered.

The girl hurried back at once to the king and demanded, "I want you to give me here and now the head of John the Baptist on a plate!"

Now then, you and the Council send word to the Roman commander to bring Paul down to you, pretending that you want to get more accurate information about him. But we will be ready to kill him before he ever gets here."