When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself.

2 Samuel 17:23

For Meditation

Ahithophel’s story fascinates me.

He was a man of excellent judgment and King David’s chief counselor. So, what got into him to take his own life? To get into the heart of this question, we must first inquire after the real reason for abandoning David and accepting Absalom’s offer. Such inquiry could give us some insights into the horrifying stories of people who make it in life but crush it over some very trivial matters they could have avoided. There are two things at stake here – pride and revenge.

Pride is certainly a destroyer of excellent reputation (Prov. 16:18). It takes a grandstand here at the center of Ahithophel’s demise. Having enjoyed national reputation for wisdom, Ahithophel’s ego is now grievously bruised when Absalom prefers another person’s counsel to his. He has been like a messenger of God to David, and his counsel has never been rejected (2 Sam. 16:23). Absalom knows this, and invites him into his inner council. How then could the young rebel prefer Hushai’s counsel to his?  

When a man gets to a point where he holds himself up as the wisest person among his peers, he deludes himself and sets himself up for a “Humpty-Dumpty” fall. It is the slipperiest place to be, and many have fallen on that same mocking ground to their own shame. Such a person prides himself that wisdom would die with him. He sees himself alone in the council of the wise and does not see the approach of their fall; for applause and affirmation blind him to his doom.

Revenge is the other self-inflicting tool any person could employ. In this case, I believe Ahithophel saw Absalom’s invitation as opportunity to settle scores with David over his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, whom most scholars believe was Ahithophel’s granddaughter. He therefore arrives in Jerusalem as a man on a mission – a mission to kill. You can see that in the two counsels he gave to Absalom.

First, Ahithophel counselled Absalom to pitch a tent on the rooftop, which gave David the view of Bathsheba’s nakedness, and go into his father’s concubines in broad daylight (2 Sam. 16:21). Nathan’s prophecy to David over this matter is fulfilled (12:11-12).  God’s word never fails. Though He forgives when we confess (1 Jn. 1:9), the consequences of the sin prevail as He determines.

Brimming with joy over his first revenge, Ahithophel moves for the kill – this time, to avenge Uriah’s death. His advice to Absalom is excellent (17:1-14). Strike the metal while it is hot. The enemy is weakest when on retreat. The counsel sounds good to Absalom and the elders with him, but Hushai’s counsel disrupts his victory party. David is a warrior and great tactician. He couldn’t be overtaken by a small number of soldiers in a surprise attack. There is strength in numbers, so Hushai’s suggestion of the entire Israeli army gains Absalom’s approval. Ahithophel is livid and broken. How dare Absalom do that to him!

As the Lord says in Jeremiah 9:23, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom.” Again, God shares His glory with no one (Isa. 42:8). He moves to bring disaster on Absalom by frustrating proud Ahithophel’s counsel (14). God answers David’s prayer (2 Kings 15:31), and Ahithophel knows Absalom is doomed. David would return as king soon, and what would be his fate? How could he face his friend? Not only has he abandoned the King; he has betrayed him. How then could he live with himself?

Every betrayer of a friend can feel Ahithophel’s dilemma at this point – the guilt, the shame, the dread of the moment of confrontation, and the self-anger. They are enough to drive a ‘Judas’ to take his own life; and that’s the course Ahithophel took (2 Sam. 17:23).

We serve an All-wise God. He knows how weak we become when we proudly set out on the path of revenge. So, He tenderly asks us to leave vengeance to Him (Rm. 12:19). That calls for humility. 

But, will our ego allow us?