2 Samuel 15:12

12. Ahithophel the Gilonite So called from Giloh, his native city in the southern hills of Judah. In nothing was the strength of Absalom’s conspiracy more manifest than in his attaching to his cause a man of so much influence as this wisest of David’s counsellors. His counsel was as an oracle of God, (2 Samuel 16:23,) and nothing seemed to disturb David more than the information that Ahithophel was among his foes. 2 Samuel 15:31.

The manner of Absalom’s sending for him, as here stated, seems to indicate that he was already privy to the plot. He had perhaps become disaffected toward David on account of his seduction of Bathsheba, his granddaughter.

Giloh Somewhere to the south of Hebron, but its site is unknown. See at Joshua 15:51.

While he offered sacrifices That is, while Absalom was offering the sacrifices connected with the festival which he made for his followers. “When we reflect,” says Ewald, “that the men who played the most important parts under Absalom his general, Amasa, who was a near relative of Joab and of David, and Ahithophel, a citizen of Giloh belonged to the tribe of Judah, and that the insurrection itself sprung into being at Hebron, the ancient capital of Judah, it becomes certain that some discontent in David’s own tribe here came into play.”