Ahithophel
David's counsellor, whose advice was valued as though a man had enquired of God. He joined Absalom's conspiracy and urged the prince to two decisive moves: to claim his father's concubines publicly, and to let him pursue David immediately with twelve thousand men while the king was weary. The first was taken; the second was set aside for Hushai's slower plan, which David had planted precisely to defeat it. Seeing his counsel rejected and the revolt doomed, Ahithophel went home, set his house in order and hanged himself.
What we know — and how we know it
Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Ancient writersJosephus retells Ahithophel's defection to Absalom, his rejected counsel, and his subsequent suicide by hanging, following the biblical narrative.
Where in scripture
2 Samuel1 ChroniclesAbsalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
2 Samuel 15:12
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
but if you return to the city, and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father’s servant in time past, so will I now be your servant; then will you defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.’
2 Samuel 15:34
Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
2 Samuel 16:15
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”
2 Samuel 16:20
Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines that he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.”
2 Samuel 16:21
The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the inner sanctuary of God. So was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
2 Samuel 16:23 — His counsel like an oracle
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
2 Samuel 23:34
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 2 recorded sayings
“And Ahithophel said to Absalom, Go in to your father's women who are here looking after his house; then all Israel will have the news that you are hated by your father, and the hands of your supporters will be strong.” — 2 Samuel 16:21
“Then Ahithophel said to Absalom, Let me take out twelve thousand men and this very night I will go after David: And I will come up with him when he is tired and feeble, and make him full of fear: and all the people with him will go in flight; and I will make an attack on the king only: And I will make all the people come back to you as a bride comes back to her husband: it is the life of only one man you are going after; so all the people will be at peace.” — 2 Samuel 17:1-3
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
In art
