Ahithophel
maleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “Brother of folly”
David’s brilliant counselor whose advice was esteemed "as if a man had inquired of God"; he betrayed David for Absalom and, when spurned, hanged himself.
Biography
Ahithophel the Gilonite was David's most trusted counselor, a man whose advice "was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God" (2 Samuel 16:23). Yet he became the most dangerous figure in Absalom's rebellion.
Betrayal
When Absalom revolted, Ahithophel joined the conspiracy, and his defection was so grave that David prayed, "O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" (2 Samuel 15:31). His counsel to pursue David immediately was militarily sound and nearly fatal to the king.
His end
But God answered David's prayer through Hushai, whose rival counsel Absalom foolishly preferred. Seeing his advice rejected and the rebellion doomed, Ahithophel set his house in order and hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23). His betrayal and end have long been read as a foreshadowing of Judas (cf. Psalm 41:9).
Life Timeline
Joins Absalom's rebellion as his counsellor
His counsel rejected; he hangs himself
On the Bible timeline
Ahithophel belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
Themes & lessons from Ahithophel
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Ahithophel appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
17 verses in 2 books2 Samuel15 verses
2 Samuel 15:12
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
2 Samuel 15:31
And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
2 Samuel 15:34
But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
2 Samuel 16:15
And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
2 Samuel 16:20
Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
2 Samuel 16:21
And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
2 Samuel 16:23
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. oracle: Heb. word
2 Samuel 17:1
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
2 Samuel 17:6
And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou. his saying: Heb. his word
2 Samuel 17:7
And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. given: Heb. counselled
2 Samuel 17:14
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. appointed: Heb. commanded
2 Samuel 17:15
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
2 Samuel 17:21
And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
2 Samuel 17:23
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. followed: Heb. done put his: Heb. gave charge concerning his house
2 Samuel 23:34
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
1 Chronicles2 verses
1 Chronicles 27:33
And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion:
1 Chronicles 27:34
And after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king's army was Joab.
Frequently asked about Ahithophel
Who was Ahithophel in the Bible?
David’s brilliant counselor whose advice was esteemed "as if a man had inquired of God"; he betrayed David for Absalom and, when spurned, hanged himself.
What does the name Ahithophel mean?
The name Ahithophel means “Brother of folly”.
What did Ahithophel do in the Bible?
Ahithophel served as david's counsellor.
Where does Ahithophel appear in the Bible?
Ahithophel is mentioned 17 times across 2 books: 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Ahithophel?
The story of Ahithophel touches on themes of ahithophel, war, council, spies — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Ahithophel's life.
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