AHITHOPHEL . David’s counsellor ( 2 Samuel 15:12 , 1 Chronicles 27:33 ), whose advice was deemed infallible ( 2 Samuel 16:23 ). Being Bathsheba’s grandfather, he had been alienated by David’s criminal conduct ( 2 Samuel 11:3 , 2 Samuel 23:34 ), and readily joined Absalom ( 2 Samuel 15:12 ). Ahithophel advised the prince to take possession of the royal harem, thus declaring his father’s deposition, and begged for a body of men with whom he might at once overtake and destroy the fugitive monarch ( 2 Samuel 17:1-3 ). Hushai thwarted this move ( 2 Samuel 17:11 ). Disgusted at the collapse of his influence, and foreseeing that this lack of enterprise meant the failure of the insurrection, Ahithophel withdrew, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself ( 2 Samuel 17:23 ).
J. Taylor.
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