אֲחִיתֹ֫פֶל

2 Samuel 15:12 אֲחִיתֹ֨פֶל Ahithophel

While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.

Here: David's most respected adviser. The name looks like 'my brother is folly', which may be a later scribal distortion or may be original. Its meaning is uncertain.

2 Samuel 15:31 אֲחִיתֹ֥פֶל אֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל Ahithophel

Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”

Here: David's own royal counselor, from Giloh (15:12). The name can be heard as “my brother is folly/insipidness.” That sets up a grim pun with David's prayer that his counsel be made “folly.”

2 Samuel 15:34 אֲחִיתֹֽפֶל׃ Ahithophel

But you can thwart the counsel of Ahithophel for me if you return to the city and say to Absalom: ‘I will be your servant, my king; in the past I was your father’s servant, but now I will be your servant.’

Here: David's former chief counsellor from Giloh, who has gone over to Absalom (15:12). His advice was treated 'as if one inquired of the word of God' (16:23), which is why he is so dangerous.

2 Samuel 16:15 וַאֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל and Ahithophel

Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.

2 Samuel 16:20 אֲחִיתֹ֑פֶל Ahithophel

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

2 Samuel 16:21 אֲחִיתֹ֙פֶל֙ Ahithophel

Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

Here: David's own royal counsellor from Giloh, who went over to Absalom (15:12). His advice was treated "as if one consulted the word of God" (16:23). That reputation is why this proposal carries weight.

2 Samuel 16:23 אֲחִיתֹ֗פֶל אֲחִיתֹ֔פֶל Ahithophel

Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.

Here: David's royal counselor from Giloh (15:12; 1 Chr 27:33). He has just gone over to Absalom's revolt. His name may mean 'my brother is folly', which may be a deliberate distortion of his real name.

2 Samuel 17:1 אֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל Ahithophel

Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.

2 Samuel 17:6 אֲחִיתֹ֔פֶל Ahithophel

So Hushai came to Absalom, who told him, “Ahithophel has spoken this proposal. Should we carry it out? If not, what do you say?”

2 Samuel 17:7 אֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל Ahithophel

Hushai replied, “This time the advice of Ahithophel is not sound.”

2 Samuel 17:14 אֲחִיתֹ֑פֶל אֲחִיתֹ֙פֶל֙ Ahithophel

Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

Here: David's former counsellor, who went over to Absalom (15:12). His advice was treated 'as if one inquired of the word of God' (16:23). His name may sound like 'my brother is folly' (tofel, 'tasteless, foolish'). Whether that is the real name or a deliberate distortion is uncertain.

2 Samuel 17:15 אֲחִיתֹ֙פֶל֙ Ahithophel

So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised.

2 Samuel 17:21 אֲחִיתֹֽפֶל׃ Ahithophel

After the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up out of the well and went to inform King David, saying, “Get up and cross over the river at once, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.”

Here: David's former counselor from Giloh (15:12), whose advice 'was like asking the word of God' (16:23). His name comes last in the sentence, so the verse ends on the man whose plan was the danger.

2 Samuel 17:23 וַאֲחִיתֹ֣פֶל and Ahithophel

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 affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

Here: The name comes first in the sentence, ahead of its verb. In Hebrew narrative this shifts the camera: the story leaves David at the Jordan (v. 22) and turns to Ahithophel for one last scene.

2 Samuel 23:34 אֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל Ahithophel

Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maacathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,

1 Chronicles 27:33 וַאֲחִיתֹ֖פֶל and Ahithophel

Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.

1 Chronicles 27:34 אֲחִיתֹ֗פֶל Ahithophel

Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah, then by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.