| 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). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia AHITHOPHEL a-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; compare 1 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 |  | Multi-Version Concordance Ahithophel (17 Occurrences) 2 Samuel 15:12 Absalom 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. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 15:31 Someone told David, saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." David said, "Yahweh, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 15:34 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.' (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 16:15 Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 16:20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, "Give your counsel what we shall do." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 16:21 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." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 16:23 The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 17:1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 17:6 When Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, "Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 17:7 Hushai said to Absalom, "The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 17:14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel." For Yahweh had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Yahweh might bring evil on Absalom. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 17:15 Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, "Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way; and I have counseled this way. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 17:21 It happened, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David; and they said to David, "Arise and pass quickly over the water; for thus has Ahithophel counseled against you." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 17:23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, and arose, and got him home, to his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; and he died, and was buried in the tomb of his father. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 2 Samuel 23:34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maacathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 1 Chronicles 27:33 Ahithophel was the king's counselor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's friend: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) 1 Chronicles 27:34 and after Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the captain of the king's army was Joab. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV) |
