The Betrayal of David by Ahithophel the Priest
Ahithophel, a counselor to King David, betrayed him by joining the conspiracy of David's son, Absalom [6]. This act of betrayal is recorded in 2 Samuel 15, where David receives news that "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom" [1, 2, 3]. Upon hearing this, David prayed, "O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" [3].
Ahithophel was a highly esteemed figure, known for his sagacity [7]. His counsel was considered as authoritative as if one had inquired of God himself [6]. The name "Ahithophel" itself means "brother of ruin or folly," or "brother of insipidity or impiety," which stands in stark contrast to his reputation for wisdom [4, 7]. Some traditions suggest that Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba, David's wife, which might explain his resentment towards David following the incident with Bathsheba and Uriah [6, 9].
When Absalom rebelled against David, Ahithophel became a key advisor to Absalom [6]. His advice to Absalom included taking possession of David's royal harem, a move intended to solidify Absalom's claim to the throne and make reconciliation with David impossible [6, 12]. He also recommended an immediate pursuit of David, believing that striking David quickly would lead to the collapse of his forces and the return of the people to Absalom [6].
David, aware of Ahithophel's shrewdness, sought to counteract his counsel. He sent his loyal friend Hushai back to Absalom, instructing him to feign loyalty to Absalom and to "defeat the counsel of Ahithophel" [7]. Hushai successfully implemented this strategy. When Absalom called a council of war, Ahithophel advised immediate action against David, while Hushai recommended a more deliberate approach, suggesting that Absalom gather a larger army before attacking [10].
Josephus recounts that Hushai's counsel was preferred by Absalom, a decision attributed to divine intervention [5]. God "made the counsel of Hushai appear best to the mind of Absalom" [5]. This turn of events frustrated Ahithophel, who recognized that his influence had waned and that his wise counsel had been rejected [7]. Seeing that his advice was not followed, Ahithophel returned to his hometown of Giloh, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself [6, 7].
The betrayal by Ahithophel is often seen as a fulfillment of prophetic psalms. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalm 55, suggests that the psalm, which speaks of a close friend who turned against the psalmist, refers to Ahithophel's treachery against David [8, 11]. The psalmist laments, "He hath put forth his hands, against such as be at peace with him, or he pretended to be at peace with" [8]. This is interpreted as Ahithophel's conspiracy against David, with whom he had shared "sweet counsel" [8].
Sources
- II Samuel “II Samuel 15:31 (Rotherham) — And, unto David, it was told, saying, Ahithophel, is among the conspirators with Absolom. And David said, Turn to foolishness, I pray thee, the counsel of Ahithophel, O Yahweh.”
- 2 Samuel “Someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David said, “Yahweh, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” -- 2 Samuel 15:31”
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Kings 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.”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Ahithophel — brother of ruin or folly”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 9, section 6: that city with machines of war, and by undermining it." When Hushai had said this, he obtained his point against Ahithophel, for his opinion was preferred by Absalom before the other's: however, it was no other than God 17 who made the counsel of Hushai appear best to the mind of Absalom. 7. So Hushai made haste to the high priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and told them the opinion of Ahithophel, and his own, and that the resolution was taken to follow this latter advice. He therefore bade them send to David, and tell him of it, and ”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Ahithophel — (brother of foolishness), a native of Giloh, was a privy councillor of David, whose wisdom was highly esteemed, though his name had an exactly opposite signification. (2 Samuel 16:23) (B.C. 1055-1023.) He was the grandfather of Bathsheba. Comp. (2 Samuel 11:3) with 2Sam 23:34 Ahithophel joined the conspiracy of Absalom against David, and persuaded him to take possession of the royal harem, (2 Samuel 16:21) and recommended an immediate pursuit of David. His advice was wise; but Hushai advised otherwise. When Ahithophel saw that Hushai's advice prevailed, h”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Ahithophel — Brother of insipidity or impiety, a man greatly renowned for his sagacity among the Jews. At the time of Absalom's revolt he deserted David (Ps. 41:9; 55:12-14) and espoused the cause of Absalom (2 Sam. 15:12). David sent his old friend Hushai back to Absalom, in order that he might counteract the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Sam. 15:31-37). This end was so far gained that Ahithophel saw he had no longer any influence, and accordingly he at once left the camp of Absalom and returned to Giloh, his native place, where, after arranging his wordly affairs, he ha”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 55:19: He hath put forth his hands,.... The psalmist returns and describes, in this verse Psa 55:3, the cruelty, perfidy, and hypocrisy of his false friend; who had stretched forth his hands against such as be at peace with him, or he pretended to be at peace with. So Ahithophel put forth his hands against David, by whom he had been admitted into his privy council, and there had taken sweet counsel together, by entering into a conspiracy and rebellion against him, and by forming a scheme to smite the king only, Sa2 17:1; and Judas, though he did not lay hands on Christ hi”
- 2 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Samuel 15:12: And Absalom sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, David's counsellor,.... To advise with about this treasonable affair he was engaged in, and to get out of him David's secrets, who was reckoned the best counsellor in the land; and he might rather hope he would come to him, if he was the grandfather of Bathsheba, as say the Jews, Sa2 11:3; since he might be disgusted with and resent David's adultery with Bathsheba his granddaughter, and the murder of her husband Uriah: him he sent for: from his city, even from Giloh; a city in the tribe of Judah, in the mountainous p”
- 2 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 17 (introduction): The contest between David and Absalom is now hasting towards a crisis. It must be determined by the sword, and preparation is made accordingly in this chapter. I. Absalom calls a council of war, in which Ahithophel urges despatch (Sa2 17:1-4), but Hushai recommends deliberation (Sa2 17:5-13); and Hushai's counsel is agreed to (Sa2 17:14), for vexation at which Ahithophel hangs himself (Sa2 17:23). II. Secret intelligence is sent to David (but with much difficultly) of their proceedings (Sa2 17:15-21). III. David marches to the other side Jordan (Sa2”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 55 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 55 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil A Psalm of David. The occasion of this psalm was either the persecution of Saul, or the conspiracy of Absalom. Some think it was written when David understood that the inhabitants of Keilah would deliver him into the hands of Saul, Sa1 23:12; and others when the Ziphites attempted a second time to do the same, Sa1 26:1; but since a single person is spoken of that magnified himself against him, Psa 55:12; and Ahithophel seems to be designed; it may be thought rather to be written on acco”
- 2 Samuel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Samuel 16 (introduction): In the close of the foregoing chapter we left David flying from Jerusalem, and Absalom entering into it; in this chapter, I. We are to follow David in his melancholy flight; and there we find him, 1. Cheated by Ziba (Sa2 16:1-4). 2. Cursed by Shimei, which he bears with wonderful patience (Sa2 16:5-14). II. We are to meet Absalom in his triumphant entry; and there we find him, 1. Cheated by Hushai (Sa2 16:15-19). 2. Counselled by Ahithophel to go in unto his father's concubines (Sa2 16:20-23).”