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AHITHOPHEL.—David’s counsellor (2Sa_15:12, 1Ch_27:33), whose advice was deemed infallible (2Sa_16:23). Being Bathsheba’s grandfather, he had been alienated by David’s criminal conduct (2Sa_11:3, 2Sa_23:34), and readily joined Absalom (2Sa_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 (2Sa_17:1-3). Hushai thwarted this move (2Sa_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 (2Sa_17:23).
J. Taylor.