Ahitophel
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- See Absalom and Achitophel for the political allegory about the Monmouth Rebellion by John Dryden.
Ahitophel - "brother of insipidity or impiety", a man greatly renowned for his sagacity, and a counselor of King David. At the time of Absalom's revolt he deserted David (Psalm. 41:9; 55:12-14) and espoused the cause of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12).
David sent his old friend Hushai back to Absalom, in order that he might counteract the counsel of Ahitophel (2 Sam. 15:31-37). This end was so far gained that Ahitophel saw he had no longer any influence, and accordingly he at once left the camp of Absalom and returned to Giloh, his native place, where, after arranging his worldly affairs, he hanged himself, and was buried in the sepulcher of his fathers (2 Sam. 17:1-23).
It would seem from a conjunction of II Sam, 23:34, and 11:3, that Ahitophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba, and it has been suggested, as an explanation of his conduct towards David, that he had kept a secret grudge against the King for the way he had treated Bathsheba, and her first husband, Urias. This, or some motive of ambition, would be in keeping with the haughty character of Ahitophel.
This entry incorporates text from the public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897.
- This article incorporates text from the public-domain Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.
