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Ahithophel

David's compatriot living at the time of United Monarchy

Ahithophel was a wise counselor to David who defected to Absalom's side during Absalom's rebellion, but later committed suicide when his advice was not followed.

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Ahithophel was a highly respected counselor to King David, known for his wisdom and insight. His advice was regarded as if one had inquired of the word of God. (2Sa.16.23) He was also the grandfather of Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, whom David later married after Uriah's death. (2Sa.23.34)

However, during Absalom's rebellion against David, Ahithophel defected and joined Absalom's side. (2Sa.15.12) When David learned of Ahithophel's betrayal, he prayed that God would turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness. (2Sa.15.31).

Absalom sought Ahithophel's advice on how to proceed against David. Ahithophel counseled Absalom to pursue David immediately and strike him down while he was weak and vulnerable. (2Sa.17.1-4) However, Absalom also sought the advice of Hushai the Archite, who was secretly loyal to David. Hushai convinced Absalom to delay the attack, giving David time to regroup and strengthen his forces. (2Sa.17.5-14)

When Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he returned to his home, put his household in order, and hanged himself, realizing that Absalom's cause was doomed to fail. (2Sa.17.23)

Ahithophel's betrayal and subsequent suicide are seen as a fulfillment of David's prayer and demonstrate the consequences of turning against God's anointed king. His story serves as a warning against pride, ambition, and disloyalty, and highlights the importance of seeking and following wise counsel that aligns with God's will.

Family

Children
Eliam

Connections

Part of: Kings, prophets and the house of David

Ahithophel and Hushai: competing counsellors

WorkStated in the text

Ahithophel, David's adviser, joined Absalom and advised an immediate pursuit. David's friend Hushai feigned loyalty to Absalom and persuaded him to wait, giving David time. Ahithophel hanged himself when his advice was rejected.

AhithophelDavid's compatriotHushaiDavid's compatriotAbsalomDavid's sonDavidKing of Judah
Where the text shows it: 2 Sam 15:12 — Ahithophel joins Absalom2 Sam 15:32-37 — Hushai sent back by David2 Sam 17:1-14 — The two plans2 Sam 17:23 — Ahithophel's suicide

Sources: 2 Sam 15:12 · 2 Sam 15:32-37 · 2 Sam 17:1-14 · 2 Sam 17:23

Ahithophel as Bathsheba's grandfather

FamilyHypothesis

Bathsheba is daughter of Eliam, and a mighty man Eliam is called son of Ahithophel the Gilonite; some therefore see Ahithophel's betrayal as tied to David's treatment of his granddaughter. Scripture does not make this link.

AhithophelDavid's compatriotBathshebaDavid's wifeDavidKing of Judah
Where the text shows it: 2 Sam 11:3 — Bathsheba daughter of Eliam2 Sam 23:34 — Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite2 Sam 15:12 — Ahithophel leaves David for Absalom
Ways people read this (2)
  • Jewish midrashic tradition and many modern commentators accept the link as plausible.
  • The name Eliam is not rare and the text never says the two are the same person; the motive is inferred.

Sources: 2 Sam 11:3 · 2 Sam 23:34 · 2 Sam 15:12

More background: search Wikipedia ↗

Bible dictionary

Ahithophel Easton Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)

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 (Ps. 41:9; 55:12-14) and espoused the cause of Absalom (2 Sam. 15:12). David sent his old friend Hushai back to Absalom, in order that he might counteract the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Sam. 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 Sam. 17:1-23). He was the type of Judas (Ps. 41:9).

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Ahithophel Smith Smith’s Bible Dictionary (1863)

(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)

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Ahithophel Hitchcock Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary (1869)

brother of ruin or folly

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Ahithophel Hastings Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible (1898)

AHITH'OPHEL (brother of foolishness), a native of Giloh, and the familiar friend, companion, and counsellor of David. Ps 55:12-14; 2 Sam 15:12 ; 1 Chr 27:33. He was the grandfather of Bath-sheba. Cf. 2 Sam 11:3 with 2 Sam 23:34. His wisdom seemed superhuman. 2 Sam 16:23. Absalom persuaded him to join in the conspiracy against his father, David ; but the cunning measures which Ahithophel proposed for the accomplishment of Absalom's ambitious plans were all defeated by the counsel of Hushai. Ahithophel, seeing that the probable issue would be the utter ruin of Absalom and his cause, which would almost necessarily involve his own destruction, returned at once to Giloh and hanged himself. 2 Sam 17:23.

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Ahithophel Schaff Schaff’s Dictionary of the Bible

AHITH'OPHEL (brother of foolishness), a native of Giloh, and the familiar friend, companion, and counsellor of David. Ps 55:12-14; 2 Sam 15:12 ; 1 Chr 27:33. He was the grandfather of Bath-sheba. Cf. 2 Sam 11:3 with 2 Sam 23:34. His wisdom seemed superhuman. 2 Sam 16:23. Absalom persuaded him to join in the conspiracy against his father, David ; but the cunning measures which Ahithophel proposed for the accomplishment of Absalom's ambitious plans were all defeated by the counsel of Hushai. Ahithophel, seeing that the probable issue would be the utter ruin of Absalom and his cause, which would almost necessarily involve his own destruction, returned at once to Giloh and hanged himself. 2 Sam 17:23.

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Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.

Where Ahithophel appears

17 verses in 2 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H0302

2 Samuel15
1 Chronicles2

Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.