Topical Encyclopedia
Ahithophel is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known for his role as a counselor to King David and later to Absalom during the latter's rebellion. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Samuel.
Background and Role in David's CourtAhithophel hailed from Giloh, a town in the hill country of Judah (
2 Samuel 15:12). He was renowned for his wisdom and counsel, which were highly esteemed in David's court. The Bible describes his advice as being as if one had inquired of the word of God (
2 Samuel 16:23). This reputation made him a key figure in the administration of King David.
Connection to BathshebaAhithophel is believed to have had a personal connection to Bathsheba, as he is identified as the grandfather of Bathsheba through his son Eliam (
2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34). This familial link may have influenced his later actions during Absalom's rebellion.
Defection to AbsalomDuring Absalom's rebellion against King David, Ahithophel defected to Absalom's side. His defection was a significant blow to David, as Ahithophel's counsel was highly valued. In
2 Samuel 15:31, David prays, "O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" , highlighting the threat Ahithophel posed.
Counsel to AbsalomAhithophel's advice to Absalom was strategic and aimed at consolidating Absalom's claim to the throne. He advised Absalom to publicly take David's concubines, which would demonstrate a complete break with his father and assert his authority (
2 Samuel 16:21-22). This counsel was followed, further deepening the rift between David and Absalom.
Ahithophel also advised a swift and decisive attack on David, suggesting that he personally lead a force to strike David while he was weary and vulnerable (
2 Samuel 17:1-3). However, this plan was ultimately thwarted by Hushai the Archite, another of David's counselors, who had remained loyal to David and was acting as a double agent. Hushai's counter-advice was accepted by Absalom, which allowed David time to regroup and prepare for battle (
2 Samuel 17:5-14).
DemiseWhen Ahithophel realized that his counsel had been rejected in favor of Hushai's, he foresaw the failure of Absalom's rebellion. Understanding the implications of this failure for his own future, Ahithophel returned to his hometown, set his affairs in order, and took his own life by hanging (
2 Samuel 17:23). His death marked the end of a man whose wisdom was once unparalleled in Israel.
LegacyAhithophel's account serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of betrayal and the complexities of human motives. His life and actions are a reminder of the importance of loyalty and the potential personal and political ramifications of rebellion against God's anointed king. His tragic end underscores the futility of relying solely on human wisdom when it is divorced from divine guidance.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Ahithophelbrother of ruin or folly
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, he despaired of success, and returning to his own home "put his household in order and hanged himself." (2 Samuel 17:1-23)
ATS Bible Dictionary
AhithophelA native of Giloh, originally one of David's most intimate and valued friends; but upon the defection and rebellion of Absalom, he espoused the cause of that prince, and became one of David's bitterest enemies. Being disappointed that Absalom did not follow his sagacious advice, and foreseeing the issue of the rebellion, he hanged himself,2 Samuel 15:12 17:1-29Psalm 55:12-14. Ahithophel seems to have been the grandfather of Bathsheba.2 Samuel 23:34, compared with2 Samuel 11:3.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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 (
Psalm 41:9;
55:12-14) and espoused the cause of Absalom (
2 Samuel 15:12). David sent his old friend Hushai back to Absalom, in order that he might counteract the counsel of Ahithophel (
2 Samuel 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 hanged himself, and was buried in the sepulchre of his fathers (
2 Samuel 17:1-23). He was the type of Judas (
Psalm 41:9).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AHITHOPHELa-hith'-o-fel ('achithophel, "brother of foolishness," perhaps): The real leader of the Absalom rebellion against David. He is described as "the king's counselor," in a context connected with events some of which are dated in the fortieth year of David (1 Chronicles 27:33, 34; compare1 Chronicles 26:31). Concerning him and his part in the rebellion we have rather full information (2 Samuel 15:12).
Some hold that he was the grandfather of Bathsheba, and make much of this in forming their estimates of him. Does the evidence sustain this view? In the latter half of the list of David's mighty men, not among the older veterans with whom the list begins, appears "Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite" (2 Samuel 23:34), the corresponding name in the other copy of the list being "Ahijah the Pelonite" (1 Chronicles 11:36). It is assumed that this is the same Eliam who was father to Bath-sheba (2 Samuel 11:3). Apparently the Chronicler testifies (1 Chronicles 3:5) that the mother of Solomon was "Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel."
Bathshua may easily be a variant of Bathsheba, and the names Eliam and Ammiel are made up of the same parts, only in reversed order. It is not strange that men have inferred that the son of Ahithophel was the father of Bathsheba. But the inference is really not a probable one. The record does not make the impression that Ahithophel was an older man than David. The recorded events of David's life after his misconduct with Bathsheba cannot have occupied less than about twenty years; that is, he cannot have been at the time older than about fifty years. That Ahithophel had then a married grand-daughter is less probable than that there were in Israel two Eliams. Further, Ahithophel was not the sort of man to conspire against the interests of his grand-daughter and her son, however he may, earlier, have resented the conduct of David toward her. Ahithophel's motive in the rebellion was doubtless ambition for personal power, though he very likely shared with many of his countrymen in the conviction that it was unjust to push aside an older son by elevating a younger son to the throne.
Ahithophel has a reputation for marvelous practical sagacity (2 Samuel 16:23). He did not show this in joining the conspiracy but it is in evidence in his management of the affair. According to the record the hearts of the people, in spite of the much fault they had to find, were all the time with David. Absalom's only chance of success was by the method of surprise and stampede. There must be a crisis in which everybody would join Absalom because everybody thought that everybody else had done so. Such a state of public sentiment could last only a very few days; but if, in those few days, David could be put out of the way, Absalom might hold the throne in virtue of his personal popularity and in default of a rival. The first part of the program was carried out with wonderful success; when it came to the second part, Ahithophel's practical wisdom was blocked by Hushai's adroit appeal to Absalom's personal vanity. Ahithophel saw with absolute clearness that Absalom had sacrificed his one opportunity, and he committed suicide to avoid participation in the shameful defeat which he saw could not be averted.
Willis J. Beecher
Strong's Hebrew
302. Achithophel -- an adviser of David... 301, 302. Achithophel. 303 . an adviser of David. Transliteration: Achithophel
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-tho'-fel) Short Definition:
Ahithophel.
...Ahithophel...Library
Concerning the Insurrection of Absalom against David and...
... CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Insurrection Of Absalom Against David And Concerning
Ahithophel And Hushai; And Concerning Ziba And Shimei; And HowAhithophel Hanged...
Absalom the Ungrateful Son
... to do. Absalom also sent forAhithophel, David's adviser, from the city
of Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the...
The Wills of Men are So Much in the Power of God, that He Can Turn...
... Wherefore the Scripture says that "the Lord appointed to defeat the good counsel
ofAhithophel, to the intent that the Lord might bring all evils upon Absalom...
The Fifth
... the treason of Adonijah.Ahithophel is not there; though we read of "Eliam
the son ofAhithophel" (verse 34). He was David's greatest...
King of Kings and Lord of Lords
... by the agency of second causes, that only they who are enlightened by His Word and
Spirit can perceive His interference He permittedAhithophel to give that...
Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
... with its own sand.' He said to them, Go and spread your hands in the army (make
wars of conquest).' Immediately they took counsel withAhithophel and thought...
Chastisements.
... And if, as is probable,Ahithophel was Bathsheba's grandfather, the most formidable
person in Absalom's conspiracy, whose defection wounded him so deeply, was...
The Antiquities of the Jews
... CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Insurrection Of Absalom Against David And Concerning
Ahithophel And Hushai; And Concerning Ziba And Shimei; And HowAhithophel Hanged...
The Wisdom of God
... (6.) God's wisdom is seen in befooling wise men, and in making their wisdom the
means of their overthrow.Ahithophel had deep policy.2 Sam 16:63....
The Betrayal
... Know ye not that he was the anti-type of David? and was not David deserted
byAhithophel, his own familiar friend and counsellor?...
Thesaurus
Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)... David sent his old friend Hushai back to Absalom, in order that he might counteract
the counsel of
Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31-37).
...AHITHOPHEL.
...Ahithophel's (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceAhithophel's (5 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 15:31 And
one told David, saying: 'Ahithophel is among the conspirators...
Ahith'ophel (15 Occurrences)
Ahith'ophel.Ahithophel, Ahith'ophel.Ahithophel's . Multi-Version
Concordance Ahith'ophel (15 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 15:31 And...
Advice (52 Occurrences)
... 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 ofAhithophel.' (See NIV)....
Counselled (26 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 16:23 And the counsel ofAhithophel, which he counselled in those days,
was as if a man had inquired of the word of God: so was all the counsel of...
Ab'salom (85 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 15:31 Someone told David, saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators
with Absalom." David said, "Yahweh, please turn the counsel ofAhithophel into...
Counseled (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 16:23 And the counsel ofAhithophel, which he counseled in those days,
was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of...
Suggestion (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 17:6 And when Hushai came, Absalom said to him, This is whatAhithophel
has said: are we to do as he says? if not, what is your suggestion? (BBE)....
Counsel (192 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 15:31 Someone told David, saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators
with Absalom." David said, "Yahweh, please turn the counsel ofAhithophel into...
Designs (118 Occurrences)
... be your servant, O king; as in the past I have been your father's servant, so now
I will be yours: then you will be able to keepAhithophel's designs against...
Resources
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