About Ahithophel

If there was one thing unique about the man Ahithophel in the 10th century BC, it was about his sagacity. He was renowned for his "special" wisdom and hence was David's trusted counsellor.

1 Chronicles 27:33(KJV)

And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion.

2 Samuel 16:23(KJV)

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.

Interestingly, in 1 Samuel 15, when Absalom, David's third son, revolted against his father, Ahithophel easily defected to him despite the very intimate relationship he had shared with David. Why would he do that?

There are scholarly historical arguments that he was the grandfather of Bathsheba who David defiled. Well, the premises of that argument are not really conclusive; there could be a host of other reasons. But one thing is clear, there must have been resentment in his heart towards David for a while. This looks very much like it from the very first counsel he gave Absalom—to sleep with all his father's concubines that were still in Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 16:21-22(KJV)

[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.

[22]So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

David knew how dangerous it was for Absalom to have someone like Ahithophel with him; he got really scared when he found out he had been betrayed.

2 Samuel 15:31(KJV)

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.

Did God answer that prayer? Was Ahithophel's counsel ever turned into foolishness?

Well, David acted on his prayer by sending an old friend, Hushai, to pretend to have defected to Absalom and use that opportunity to counter Ahithophel's counsel.

2 Samuel 15:32-34(KJV)

[32]And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:

[33]Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:

[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.

To cut a long story short, Ahithophel gave a brilliant counsel on how to defeat David by attacking him suddenly while he was still weak and weary (2 Samuel 17:1-4).

However, Hushai opposed that counsel by emphasizing how mighty and smart David was and that the only way to ensure David would come out of hiding and not escape was by battle (verse 5-13).

That was how he defeated Ahithophel's counsel and saved David's life.

2 Samuel 17:14(KJV)

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.

So, Ahithophel's counsel was never foolish; it became foolishness IN THE EYES OF ABSALOM AND HIS MEN.

We can learn from this story that God does preserve his own, and prayer gives direction to the power of God.

What followed?

2 Samuel 17:23(KJV)

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.

Why did he hang himself?

There have been assertions pointing towards pride—how that he felt his ego was bruised and was so ashamed that he decided to take his own life.

However, from paying close attention to the narrative, the actual reason is clear.

His wise counsel was not followed; He knew that defeat was imminent. He knew what he had done and now, he was in David's bad books. David was surely going to defeat Absalom in a battle; hence, his head would go for it as soon as the king returned to his throne. So, he thought to handle his fate himself by taking his own life.

Of course, David defeated Absalom in the battle.

Victor Ibosiola © 2021