Yhdistynyt kuningaskuntaRoyal advisorWise manMilitary strategistTraitorc. 1040–975 BC
Ahithophel from Giloh in Judah was one of the most influential advisors at King David's court, and his insight was so highly valued that it was regarded as equal to a divine oracle (2 Sam 16:23). He was the father of Eliam, who was likely identical with Bathsheba's father—making Ahithophel Bathsheba's grandfather. When Absalom rose in rebellion against David, Ahithophel defected to Absalom's side, possibly driven by personal bitterness over David's abuse of Bathsheba and the killing of Uriah. Ahithophel advised Absalom with both political and military sharpness: he recommended publicly taking possession of David's concubines to mark an irreversible break, and then proposed an immediate attack on the fleeing David. It was Hushai—David's secret ally—who managed to persuade Absalom to reject this advice, which the biblical text attributes to the Lord's guidance. When Ahithophel realized that his strategic plan had been discarded and the rebellion's downfall sealed, he returned home to Giloh, set his house in order, and took his own life by hanging. In Christian interpretive history, his fate has often been seen as a typological precursor to Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus.
23Now in those days the counsel Ahithophel gave was regarded as though one had inquired of the word of God—so was all Ahithophel's counsel esteemed by both David and Absalom.
When Absalom rebelled against his father David, Ahithophel chose to support Absalom. This was a heavy blow to David, who prayed that Ahithophel's counsel might be turned into foolishness.
12Absalom also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, to come from his town of Giloh. And while Absalom was offering the sacrifices, the conspiracy gained strength, and his following kept growing.
Ahithophel Advises Absalom to Take David's Concubines
Ahithophel advised Absalom to go in publicly to David's concubines to show that the break with his father was irreversible, thereby strengthening Absalom's position.
21Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened."
Ahithophel proposed pursuing David immediately with 12,000 men to kill him while he was weak and exhausted. This was a militarily wise counsel that could have decided the rebellion.
2I will come upon him while he is weary and his hands are weak, and I will throw him into panic. All the people with him will flee, and I will strike down the king alone.
Hushai, who was loyal to David and served as his secret agent, persuaded Absalom to reject Ahithophel's counsel and follow another strategy. The Lord directed this to frustrate Absalom's plans.
14Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel." For the LORD had ordained that Ahithophel's good counsel be frustrated, so that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom.
When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he understood that Absalom's rebellion would fail. He went home to Giloh, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself. He was buried in his father's tomb.
23When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his home in his own town. He put his household in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father's tomb.