2 Samuel 16:23

16:23 In those days Ahithophel’s advice was considered as valuable as a prophetic revelation. ¹  Both David and Absalom highly regarded the advice of Ahithophel. ² 

2 Samuel 17:14

17:14 Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite sounds better than the advice of Ahithophel.” Now the Lord had decided ³  to frustrate the sound advice of Ahithophel, so that the Lord could bring disaster on Absalom.

2 Samuel 17:1

The Death of Ahithophel

17:1 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me pick out twelve thousand men. Then I will go and pursue David this very night.

2 Samuel 15:12

15:12 While he was offering sacrifices, Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s adviser, ⁴  to come from his city, Giloh. ⁵  The conspiracy was gaining momentum, and the people were starting to side with Absalom.

2 Samuel 15:34

15:34 But you will be able to counter the advice of Ahithophel if you go back to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king! Previously I was your father’s servant, and now I will be your servant.’

2 Samuel 16:21

16:21 Ahithophel replied to Absalom, “Have sex with ⁶  your father’s concubines whom he left to care for the palace. All Israel will hear that you have made yourself repulsive to your father. Then your followers will be motivated to support you.” ⁷ 

2 Samuel 17:6

17:6 So Hushai came to Absalom. Absalom said to him, “Here is what Ahithophel has advised. Should we follow his advice? If not, what would you recommend?”

2 Samuel 17:15

17:15 Then Hushai reported to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, “Here is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the leaders ⁸  of Israel to do, and here is what I have advised.

2 Samuel 17:21

17:21 After the men had left, Ahimaaz and Jonathan ⁹  climbed out of the well. Then they left and informed King David. They advised David, “Get up and cross the stream ¹⁰  quickly, for Ahithophel has devised a plan to catch you.” ¹¹ 

¹ tn Heb “And the advice of Ahithophel which he advised in those days was as when one inquires of the word of God.”

² tn Heb “So was all the advice of Ahithophel, also to David, also to Absalom.”

³ tn Heb “commanded.”

⁵ tn Traditionally, “counselor,” but this term is more often associated with psychological counseling today, so “adviser” was used in the translation instead.

⁶ tn Heb “Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, the adviser of David, from his city, from Giloh, while he was sacrificing.” It is not entirely clear who (Absalom or Ahithophel) was offering the sacrifices.

⁷ tn Heb “go to”; NAB “have (+ sexual NCV) relations with”; TEV “have intercourse with”; NLT “Go and sleep with.”

⁸ tn Heb “and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

⁹ tn Heb “elders.”

¹¹ tn Heb “they”; the referents (Ahimaaz and Jonathan) have been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹² tn Heb “the water.”

¹³ tn Heb “for thus Ahithophel has devised against you.” The expression “thus” is narrative shorthand, referring to the plan outlined by Ahithophel (see vv. 1-3). The men would surely have outlined the plan in as much detail as they had been given by the messenger.