Ahithophel
Counselor Whose Counsel Was Like an Oracle
Name Information
- Meaning: "Brother of folly" (or “my brother is foolishness”)
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Masculine
Ahithophel was a trusted counselor of David whose advice was esteemed. He joined Absalom’s rebellion and, when his counsel was not followed, he took his own life.
⏰ United Kingdom (David’s reign)
Roles
- Counselor
Relationships
- Son: Eliam
- Granddaughter: Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34), whose husband Uriah was killed by David after committing adultery with her
Story
Ahithophel joined Absalom and advised publicly shaming David’s concubines (2 Samuel 16:20–22).
He urged an immediate strike on David, but Absalom followed Hushai’s counter-advice (2 Samuel 17:1–14).
Seeing his counsel rejected, Ahithophel set his house in order and hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23).
Spiritual Significance
- His counsel was regarded as if one inquired of the word of God (2 Samuel 16:23).
- His defection to Absalom and end by suicide marked a dark turn in the rebellion (2 Samuel 17:23).
Christ Connection
David’s lament about a close friend’s betrayal (Psalm 41:9) is cited regarding Jesus’ betrayal (John 13:18), echoing the treachery seen in David’s story.
What We Can Learn
- Brilliant counsel without loyalty or righteousness leads to ruin.
- God can overturn the plans of the crafty (2 Samuel 15:31; 17:14).
- Betrayal has grave consequences.
Memory Verses
Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God.
— 2 Samuel 16:23
Key Passages
- 2 Samuel 15:12, 31
- 2 Samuel 16:20–23
- 2 Samuel 17:1–23
- 2 Samuel 23:34
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