as if: Num 27:21, 1Sa 30:8, Psa 28:2, 1Pe 4:11 oracle of God: Heb. word of God, Psa 19:7 so was: The first counsel of this sagacious but wicked man to Absalom was more like an oracle of Satan, both for subtlety and atrocity. He advised the shameless measure just detailed, in order to establish Absalom, and to preclude the possibility of a reconciliation with David. The wives of a conquered king were always the property of the conqueror; and in possessing these he appeared to possess the right to the kingdom. all the counsel: 2Sa 17:14, 2Sa 17:23, Job 5:12, Job 28:28, Jer 4:22, Jer 8:9, Mat 11:25, Luk 16:8, Rom 1:22, 1Co 3:19, 1Co 3:20, Jam 3:13-18 both: 2Sa 15:12, Ecc 10:1 Reciprocal: 2Sa 15:31 - turn the counsel 1Ki 2:23 - if Adonijah 1Ch 27:33 - Ahithophel Job 19:14 - familiar Psa 55:13 - my guide Psa 119:96 - I have seen Isa 44:25 - turneth 1Co 1:20 - hath Heb 5:12 - the oracles Jam 3:15 - but