2 Samuel 16:19

And againe, whom should I serue? should I not serue in the presence of his sonne? as I haue serued in thy fathers presence, so will I be in thy presence.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

"Besides, whom should I serve? {Should I} not {serve} in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so I will be in your presence."
- New American Standard Version (1995)

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.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And more than this! where is my place as a servant? is it not before his son? as I have been your father's servant, so will I be yours.
- Basic English Bible

And again, whom should I serve? should it not be in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
- Darby Bible

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.
- Webster's Bible

Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn't I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence."
- World English Bible

and secondly, for whom do I labour? is it not before his son? as I served before thy father so am I before thee.'
- Youngs Literal Bible

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.'
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for 2 Samuel 16:19

16:17 Is this - Doth this action answer that profession of friendship which thou hast hitherto made to him? He speaks thus only to try him. And he saith, thy friend, by way of reflection upon David; as one who was a friend to Hushai, and to strangers but not to his own son, whom, by his severity he provoked to this course; and therefore he doth not vouchsafe to call him his father.

16:21 Go - This counsel he gave, partly to revenge the injury done to Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, #2Sam 11:3|, who was the son of Ahithophel, chap.#23:34|, and principally for his own, and the people's safety, that the breach between David and Absalom might be irreparable. For this would provoke David in the highest degree and cut of all hope of reconciliation, which otherwise might have been expected by some treaty between Absalom and his tender - hearted father. But in that case his followers, and especially Ahithophel, had been left to David's mercy, and therefore obliged to prosecute the war with all vigour, and to abandon all thoughts of peace: as knowing that his father, though be might dissemble, yet would never forgive so foul a crime. Be strong - They will fight with greater courage and resolution, when they are freed from the fear of thy reconciliation, which otherwise would make their hearts faint, and hands slack in thy cause. But by this we may see the character of Absalom's party, and how abominably wicked they were, whom such a scandalous action tied the faster to him. And we may farther learn, how corrupt the body of the people was, how ripe for that judgment which is now hastening to them.