Ahithophel

How Nave’s arranged it

• One of David's counsellors2 Samuel 15:121 Chronicles 27:33
• Joins Absalom2 Samuel 15:312 Samuel 15:342 Samuel 16:152 Samuel 16:20–232 Samuel 17:1–23
• Probably referred to by David inPsalms 55:12–14
• Suicide of2 Samuel 17:1–142 Samuel 17:23

The passages, in Bible order (9)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 9 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. 2 Samuel 15:12

   While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:122 voices

   “And Absalom sent for Ahithophel, the Gilonite, David's counsellor,....

   “Ahithophel - It has been with great probability supposed that Ahithophel was estranged from David by personal resentment for his conduct in the matter of Bath-sheba and Uriah (see 2Sa 11:3). While he offered sacrifices - Rather, that Absalom sent for Ahithophel to be present when he offered the sacrifices; the intention being that all who partook of the sacrifice should be bound together to prosecute the enterprise. Absalom, too, would take advantage of the excitement of the great feast to inflame the ardour of the guests, and pledge them irrevocably to his cause.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 15:12→

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2. 2 Samuel 15:31

   Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:312 voices

   “Thus, then, the Lord knew how to bring to nothing the counsels of nations. We learned in the time of Ahithophel how he cast away the counsels of the princes, when David prayed, saying, "Infatuate the counsel of Ahithophel." Therefore, when you hear someone making great threats and announcing that he will bring upon you all sorts of ill treatment, losses, blows or death, look up to the Lord who brings to nothing the counsels of nations and rejects the devices of the people.

   “Turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness - Ahithophel was a wise man, and well versed in state affairs; and God alone could confound his devices.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 15:31→

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3. 2 Samuel 15:34

   But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:342 voices

   “And say - That is, as faithful to thee, as I have been to thy father. David's suggesting this crafty counsel must be reckoned amongst his sins. Nevertheless God was pleased to direct this evil advice to a good end.

   “But if thou return to the city,.... To the city of Jerusalem, from whence it seems he came: and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as he was by usurpation, and by the proclamation of the people with him.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 15:34→

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4. 2 Samuel 16:15

   Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:152 voices

   “Professing, however, with great address, to consider it his duty to support the cause which the course of Providence and the national will had seemingly decreed should triumph, and urging his friendship for the father as a ground of confidence in his fidelity to the son, he persuaded Absalom of his sincerity, and was admitted among the councillors of the new king.

   “And Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem,....

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 16:15→

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5. 2 Samuel 16:20–23

   Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:20–232 voices

   “Give counsel among you what we shall do--This is the first cabinet council on record, although the deference paid to Ahithophel gave him the entire direction of the proceedings.

   “Then said Absalom to Ahithophel,.... Having two such able counsellors as he and Hushai, he directs his speech to Ahithophel, as being his first and chief counsellor: give counsel among you what we shall do; he orders them to form a counsel, consult among themselves what was proper to be now done at Jerusalem, whether it was right to stay here or pursue after David and his men. Absalom did not send to the high priest to ask counsel of God, by Urim and Thummim before the ark, but wholly confided in his privy council.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 16:20–23→

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6. 2 Samuel 17:1–23

   Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:1–232 voices

   “Moreover, Ahithophel said unto Absalom,....

   “This night - The night of the day on which David fled, and Absalom entered into Jerusalem. Ahithophel’s idea was to fall upon David by surprise, and in the first confusion of the surprised army to seize and kill David only.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 17:1–23→

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7. 2 Samuel 17:23

   When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

   ›Commentary on 2 Samuel 17:232 voices

   “And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed,....

   “To his city - To Giloh (marginal reference). Ahithophel was probably influenced by deep mortification at the slight put upon him by rejecting his counsel. He is a memorable example of the impotence of worldly wisdom. Compare the marginal reference.

   Everything gathered on 2 Samuel 17:23→

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8. 1 Chronicles 27:33

   Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.

   ›Commentary on 1 Chronicles 27:332 voices

   “Counsellor - The person whose counsel in matters of state the king most prized and followed. Companion - Or his friend, 2 Sam. xv, 37, the person whom he trusted with his secrets, and whose conversation was most pleasant and acceptable to him. Observe, A cunning man was his counsellor: but an honest man was his friend.

   “This was a sufficient strength for the securing of the public peace and safety. Those that are Israelites indeed must learn war; for we have enemies to grapple with, whom we are concerned constantly to stand upon our guard against. He changed them every month; so that the whole number of the militia amounted to 288,000, perhaps about a fifth part of the able men of the kingdom.

   Everything gathered on 1 Chronicles 27:33→

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9. Psalms 55:12–14

   For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide.

   ›Commentary on Psalms 55:12–142 voices

   “Ver. 12. The reader will do well to observe how accurately the psalmist described his own Psalm when he said, "I mourn in my complaint, "or rather "give loose to my thoughts, "for he proceeds from one point of his sorrow to another, wandering on like one in a maze, making few pauses, and giving no distinct intimations that he is changing the subject. Now from the turbulent city his mind turns to the false hearted councillor. For is was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it.

   “But what especially strengthens us in our desire for union with you is the account of your reverences' zeal for orthodoxy—the fact that neither by a vast number of treatises nor by subtlety of sophisms was your firmness of heart overcome, but that you recognized those who were making innovations contrary to the teachings of the apostles and did not consent to cover over in silence the harm done by them.

   Everything gathered on Psalms 55:12–14→

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