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Ahithophel was a high ranking official during David’s reign over Israel. He followed David while they were both in Saul’s palace and then again when David was on the run from King Saul. Ahithophel is one of the few characters in scripture that God allows us to see inside the mind. He his not only a serious strategist, but one who is close to the king—so close that he actually becomes a member of David’s cabinet. Yet he chooses to give his allegiance to Absalom, David’s rebellious son. His treachery resulted in the deaths of many people and fulfilled David’s prophecy about him. This study examines Ahithophel and traces his tragic downfall.
Bible study on Ahithophel
bible study on ahithophel – The reader is brought face to face with the real issues of our own heart, as he or she tries to enter into the heart of a human being whose values and priorities are so different from his or her own.
The Bible Study On Ahithophel is a thorough and in depth look at Ahithophel. This bible study is written in clear and concise language making it easy for anyone to read and understand. Learn from the scriptures themselves, who he was and what it means for us today.
In this Bible study on Ahithophel, we read that he was a wicked man but trusted in the LORD and counselled David faithfully.
If we are to understand the place of Ahithophel in both the kingdom of Israel and in the history of the church, we need to consider what caused him to turn against David. Most Bible students are content with the popular explanation that he advised Absalom because he was angry that David had passed over his son in favor of Ziba (2 Samuel 17:23). This is certainly part of it. But it does not explain why he would join Absalom’s rebellion after all these years or why a man who had once been so loyal to David would choose his son over his master.
Ahithophel was the counselor of King David, who conspired with David’s son Absalom to overthrow him. Ahithophel advised Absalom to stay in Jerusalem and seek to usurp the throne. However, when Absalom attempted to lead an insurrection against his father and failed, Ahithophel committed suicide because he knew that his counsel had proved ineffective.
The Book of Samuel is an ancient Hebrew text, believed to be the first five books of the Old Testament. The book of Samuel gives a historical account of King David and his life with his court.
Who was Ahithophel in the Bible?
Ahithophel was originally the counselor of King David, but he later betrayed David, aiding Absalom in his rebellion to overthrow David’s kingship. Ahithophel was well-known for his advice, so much so that “Absalom followed Ahithophel’s advice, just as David had done. For every word Ahithophel spoke seemed as wise as though it had come directly from the mouth of God” (2 Samuel 16:23, NLT). Ahithophel had the gift of wisdom.
After Absalom captured Jerusalem, Ahithophel’s first piece of advice to him was that he sleep with all his father’s concubines—in a public manner—so as to become a “stench in your father’s nostrils,” and to strengthen his following (2 Samuel 16:21–22). In those days, taking possession of a king’s concubines was a declaration of one’s right to the throne. This fulfilled God’s word to David after his adultery with Bathsheba: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel’” (2 Samuel 12:11–12). Absalom followed the advice of Ahithophel and performed this wicked act on the top of the palace roof for all Israel to see (2 Samuel 16:22).
When Absalom began his rebellion, King David knew that Ahithophel’s advice would be dangerous in the hands of his son. During his escape up the Mount of Olives, David prayed to the Lord that Ahithophel’s counsel would be turned into foolishness (2 Samuel 15:31). In answer to David’s prayer, when David reached the summit of the Mount of Olives, he met Hushai the Arkite. David sent Hushai back to Absalom in Jerusalem as a secret agent to frustrate the advice of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:32–37). In Jerusalem Hushai pledged his loyalty to Absalom but began to give advice to work to David’s benefit (2 Samuel 17:14).
Absalom asked his counsellors what next step he should take. Ahithophel said to pursue David immediately with an army of twelve thousand men and “attack him while he is weary and weak” (2 Samuel 17:1). Hushai, however, counselled Absalom to delay the attack, form a larger force, and totally annihilate David and his men (verses 7–13). Absalom chose to follow the advice of Hushai and reject Ahithophel’s counsel. This was of God, since “the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom” (verse 14).
When Absalom rejected his advice, Ahithophel’s pride was injured, and “he put his house in order and then hanged himself” (2 Samuel 17:23). In following Hushai’s advice, Absalom was defeated and received the punishment due his rebellion (2 Samuel 18:6–15).
Because of Ahithophel’s betrayal of David, many scholars see him as a type of Judas Iscariot. Just as David’s counselor betrayed him, so also did Jesus’ disciple Judas betray Him. Similarities between Ahithophel and Judas include the following:
• they both were trusted friends who betrayed their friend (2 Samuel 15:31; Matthew 26:14–16).
• they both sided with the enemy to plot their king’s death (2 Samuel 17:1–4; Luke 22:2–6).
• they both hanged themselves once the betrayal was complete (2 Samuel 17:23; Matthew 27:5).
In Psalm 41:9 David laments, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” This is, most immediately, a reference to the treachery of Ahithophel. But it is also a prophetic reference to Judas, as Jesus points out in John 13:18, where He quotes Psalm 41:9. Like Judas, Ahithophel will forever be remembered as a traitor.
Verses About Ahithophel
Samuel-2 15:12
And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, [even] from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
Samuel-2 15:31
And [one] told David, saying, Ahithophel [is] among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
Samuel-2 15:34
But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy father’s servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
Samuel-2 16:15
And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
Samuel-2 16:20
Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
Samuel-2 16:21
And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that [are] with thee be strong.
Samuel-2 16:23
And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, [was] as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so [was] all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
Samuel-2 17:1
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
Samuel-2 17:6
And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do [after] his saying? if not; speak thou.
Samuel-2 17:7
And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not good at this time.
Samuel-2 17:14
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite [is] better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
Samuel-2 17:15
Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.
Samuel-2 17:21
And it came to pass, after they were departed, that they came up out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto David, Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you.
Samuel-2 17:23
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.
Samuel-2 23:34
Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
Chronicles-1 27:33
And Ahithophel [was] the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite [was] the king’s companion:
Chronicles-1 27:34
And after Ahithophel [was] Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar: and the general of the king’s army [was] Joab.