“When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he . . . gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father” (2 Sam. 17:2323And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. (2 Samuel 17:23)).
What a sad end for Ahithophel, who was the king’s counsellor (1 Chron. 27:3333And Ahithophel was the king's counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion: (1 Chronicles 27:33)). His counsel which he counselled in those days was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God (2 Sam. 16:2323And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. (2 Samuel 16:23)). Evidently he was a man of unusual ability and usefulness to David, occupying a key position in the kingdom, and greatly respected for his wisdom. What then had happened to bring him to such a low point? When Absalom had wanted to usurp the throne, we find that he sent for Ahithophel (2 Sam. 15:1212And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. (2 Samuel 15:12)), who evidently came readily and with full support for Absalom. More than this, when he was asked to give counsel as to the best means of defeating David, Ahithophel not only counselled against David, but wanted personally to lead an army against him (2 Sam. 17:1313Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there. (2 Samuel 17:13)). Why did this man, so close to David, turn so completely against him? I believe the answer is found in comparing 2 Samuel 11:33And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? (2 Samuel 11:3) and chapter 23:34.
Family Relationships and Snares
Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. He was probably one of the few who knew the whole truth of David’s sin with Bathsheba and his subsequent attempt to cover it up by arranging for the death of her husband Uriah. We can only imagine the disillusionment and anger that so easily must have filled his soul. Doubtless he felt that David’s sin made him unfit to be king any longer. When Absalom, who seemed to be more righteous, came along, Ahithophel readily lent his support to him against David.
How keenly we feel it when a serious wrong is done, perhaps by those whom we have respected and trusted the most! When the wrong affects a member of our own family, we feel it all the more. Righteous anger arises in our hearts and perhaps our first thought is to avenge the wrong. Unhappily such things have happened many times in the history of God’s people, whether in Israel or in the history of the church.
We cannot defend David’s actions, and we find that the Lord dealt with them most solemnly. The first child born to David and Bathsheba died, and David was also told by Nathan the prophet that the sword would never depart from his house. It is clear that God did not pass over what David had done, although He did put away his sin (2 Sam. 12:1313And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. (2 Samuel 12:13)).
Setting Things Straight
Yet how often have we, like Ahithophel, taken matters into our own hands instead of counting on God to set things right! Ahithophel seemed to have plenty of reason for his attitude and actions, but he acted without God’s mind and thus rebelled against God’s rightful king. As David would not lift up his hand against Saul, because he was the Lord’s anointed, so Ahithophel was wrong to support rebellion against David.
Sowing and Reaping
As a result, God allowed Ahithophel’s good counsel to be rejected in favor of that given by Hushai. Knowing full well that the result would be certain defeat for Absalom, Ahithophel commits suicide. May this be a lesson to our own hearts, if we are tempted to try righting a wrong! This does not mean that we are to condone evil, either individually or in the assembly. But let us be careful not to use human energy to accomplish what only the Lord can do.
Forgiving and Serving
Contrast the history of Ahithophel with that of his son Eliam. We are not told much about him, although he was the father of Bathsheba, as we learn from 2 Samuel 11:33And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? (2 Samuel 11:3). We do not hear of him again until the record is given of David’s mighty men in 2 Samuel 23. It is evident that he remained faithful to David, although he had even more reason to be upset than Ahithophel.
He is not mentioned in connection with Absalom’s rebellion, but he is mentioned in the list of David’s mighty men. Though, no doubt, feeling the harm done to his daughter, he evidently submitted to what God had allowed and continued to serve David. As a result, he occupies a place of honor in a very select list of those who distinguished themselves in David’s service. The wrong done to Eliam remained, and surely he could not forget it. The presence of Bathsheba in David’s court would be a continual reminder of what had happened.
Wrongs Righted Here or There?
It is not until the end of David’s life that Eliam is mentioned and his name honored. So wrongs may be done down here, serious wrongs, yet we may have to wait until the judgment seat of Christ for them to be set right. Surely it will be worth it all in that day, when we receive the approval of our blessed Master for our service to Him. It is easy to be tempted to take another path that might seem to be dealing with the wrong, but if done without the mind of the Lord, it will not prosper. We may well find ourselves like Ahithophel, losing further opportunity to serve our David because we have not left matters with the Lord.
Blessing Out of Failures
It is encouraging to see how God brings blessing even out of such serious failure. We know that Solomon, David’s heir to the throne, was born of Bathsheba, and it is recorded that the Lord loved him (2 Sam. 12:2424And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him. (2 Samuel 12:24)). Also, we notice that David had other sons by Bathsheba, among them one named Nathan (1 Chron. 3:55And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel: (1 Chronicles 3:5)). We may well suppose that he was named after Nathan the prophet who had faithfully spoken to David about his failure. This is likely the same Nathan named in Luke 3:3131Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, (Luke 3:31).
It is generally accepted that the genealogy in Matthew through Solomon is Joseph’s genealogy, being the lineage of the rightful king. That given in Luke is probably Mary’s genealogy, and it is striking that she too is descended from a son of Bathsheba, although not one who sat on the throne.
Well might we say with the Apostle Paul, “How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:3333O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)). May God give us the grace to submit to His ways, knowing that they are not our ways and that true blessing is always in submitting to Him. In that day it will be worth it all!
W. J. Prost