Ahithophel is a significant yet tragic figure in the Old Testament, known for his role as a counselor to King David and later to Absalom during the latter's rebellion. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel.

Background and Role in David's Court

Ahithophel hailed from Giloh, a town in the hill country of Judah (2 Samuel 15:12). He was renowned for his wisdom and counsel, which was highly esteemed by King David. The Bible describes his advice as being as if one "inquired of the word of God" (2 Samuel 16:23). This high regard for his counsel underscores his influence and the trust placed in him by the king.

Connection to Bathsheba

Ahithophel is believed to have had a familial connection to Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite and later King David. According to 2 Samuel 23:34, Ahithophel was the father of Eliam, who is identified in 2 Samuel 11:3 as Bathsheba's father. This connection has led some scholars to speculate that Ahithophel's later actions may have been influenced by David's sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah.

Defection to Absalom

During Absalom's rebellion against his father David, Ahithophel defected to Absalom's side (2 Samuel 15:12). His defection was a significant blow to David, as Ahithophel's counsel was highly valued. David, aware of Ahithophel's wisdom, prayed that God would turn his counsel into foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31).

Counsel to Absalom

Ahithophel's advice to Absalom was strategic and aimed at consolidating Absalom's claim to the throne. He advised Absalom to publicly lie with David's concubines, a move intended to demonstrate Absalom's complete break with his father and to strengthen his position among the people (2 Samuel 16:21-22). Ahithophel also proposed a swift attack on David to capitalize on his vulnerability (2 Samuel 17:1-3).

Rejection and Demise

Despite the soundness of his counsel, Ahithophel's advice was ultimately rejected in favor of Hushai's counsel, who was secretly loyal to David and had been sent to Absalom's court to undermine Ahithophel's influence (2 Samuel 15:32-37; 17:5-14). Hushai's advice led to a delay in Absalom's attack, giving David time to regroup.

Realizing that his counsel had been disregarded and foreseeing the likely failure of Absalom's rebellion, Ahithophel returned to his hometown, set his affairs in order, and took his own life by hanging (2 Samuel 17:23). His suicide is a poignant end to a man once held in high esteem, reflecting the personal and political turmoil that marked his final days.

Legacy

Ahithophel's account serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of betrayal and the complexities of human motives. His life and actions are a reminder of the intricate interplay between personal grievances and political ambitions in the biblical narrative.

The Wills of Men are So Much in the Power of God, that He Can Turn ...
... Wherefore the Scripture says that "the Lord appointed to defeat the good counsel
of Ahithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring all evils upon Absalom ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 41 xx the wills of.htm

Concerning the Insurrection of Absalom against David and ...
... CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Insurrection Of Absalom Against David And Concerning
Ahithophel And Hushai; And Concerning Ziba And Shimei; And How Ahithophel Hanged ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the insurrection.htm

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
... by the agency of second causes, that only they who are enlightened by His Word and
Spirit can perceive His interference He permitted Ahithophel to give that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxviii king of kings.htm

Ahithophel's (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ahithophel's (5 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 15:31 And
one told David, saying: 'Ahithophel is among the conspirators ...
/a/ahithophel's.htm - 8k

Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)
... David sent his old friend Hushai back to Absalom, in order that he might counteract
the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31-37). ...AHITHOPHEL. ...
/a/ahithophel.htm - 16k

Designs (118 Occurrences)
... be your servant, O king; as in the past I have been your father's servant, so now
I will be yours: then you will be able to keep Ahithophel's designs against ...
/d/designs.htm - 35k

Ahith'ophel (15 Occurrences)
Ahith'ophel. Ahithophel, Ahith'ophel. Ahithophel's . Multi-Version
Concordance Ahith'ophel (15 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 15:31 And ...
/a/ahith'ophel.htm - 10k

Water-hole (25 Occurrences)
... of the water-hole and went to give King David the news; and they said, Get up and
go quickly over the water, for such and such are Ahithophel's designs against ...
/w/water-hole.htm - 14k

Ahitob

/a/ahitob.htm - 6k

Idea (64 Occurrences)
... Amnon is dead. (BBE). 2 Samuel 17:7 And Hushai said to Absalom, Ahithophel's
idea is not a good one at this time. (BBE). 1 Kings 2 ...
/i/idea.htm - 27k

Hushai (13 Occurrences)
... and had reached the summit of Olivet, he there met Hushai, whom he sent back to
Jerusalem for the purpose of counteracting the influence of Ahithophel, who had ...
/h/hushai.htm - 12k

Effect (173 Occurrences)
... be your servant, O king; as in the past I have been your father's servant, so now
I will be yours: then you will be able to keep Ahithophel's designs against ...
/e/effect.htm - 40k

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