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.
Parallel translations
- WEB Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. The conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
- KJV And 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.
- NKJV Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city—from Giloh—while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.
- NASB And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people continually increased with Absalom.
- NLT While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel, one of David’s counselors who lived in Giloh. Soon many others also joined Absalom, and the conspiracy gained momentum.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Absalom recruits Ahithophel, David's trusted counselor, and the conspiracy gathers strength. The defection of David's wise advisor is a serious blow.
Overview
The joining of Ahithophel, renowned for counsel like the oracle of God (16:23), greatly bolsters the revolt as support swells. Ahithophel's betrayal, possibly rooted in David's sin against his family (he may have been Bathsheba's grandfather), shows the rebellion drawing on deep grievances. David, betrayed by his close friend and counselor, foreshadows Christ betrayed by one who ate at his table (Psalm 41:9).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- 2 Sam 15:31Now someone told David: “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David pleaded, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
- Ps 41:9Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
- Josh 15:51Goshen, Holon, and Giloh—eleven cities, along with their villages.
- Titus 1:16They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.
- Ps 55:12–14For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide.
- 2 Sam 17:14Then 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.
- 2 Sam 17:23When 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.
- Prov 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!
- 1 Kgs 21:12They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people.
- Num 23:1Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”
- 1 Chr 27:33Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.
- Isa 1:10–16Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
- 2 Sam 16:20–23Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”
- Ps 43:1–2Vindicate me, O God, and plead my case against an ungodly nation; deliver me from deceitful and unjust men.
- John 13:18I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’
- Ps 50:16–21To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips?
- Ps 3:1–2A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!
- Num 23:14So Balak took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
- Num 23:30So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.
- Mic 7:5–6Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
- 1 Kgs 21:9In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people.
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 15:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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