In the Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we introduced Ahitophel of Giloh and discussed how leaders should recognise and manage unusually gifted advisers.
Now we come to the evidence.
Was Ahitophel really as good as the Bible says?
The answer is yes.
In fact, the Scriptures present two examples of his counsel during Absalom’s rebellion, and both reveal an extraordinary understanding of politics, leadership, strategy, and human nature.
As we have seen throughout this series, the Bible teaches leadership through examples.
1 Corinthians 10 (KJ2000)
11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.
Romans 15 (KJ2000)
4 For whatsoever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
The story of Ahitophel was not preserved so that we could admire his brilliance.
It was preserved so that we could learn from it.
The Problem Facing Absalom
Absalom had achieved what many rebels never achieve.
He had taken Jerusalem.
David had fled.
The throne appeared to be within his grasp.
But appearances can be deceptive.
David was still alive.
David still had loyal supporters.
David still had mighty men.
David still had military experience.
As long as David lived, the war was not over.
Absalom understood this.
That is why he asked for counsel.
2 Samuel 16 (KJ2000)
20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
It was a wise request.
And Ahitophel gave a wise answer.
Counsel Number One - Burn the Bridge Behind You
Ahitophel’s first recommendation shocked many readers.
2 Samuel 16 (KJ2000)
21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
At first glance, this advice appears immoral, offensive, and unnecessary.
It was certainly immoral.
But Ahitophel was not discussing morality.
He was discussing politics.
Absalom’s greatest danger at this point was hesitation.
People needed to know whether this rebellion was temporary or permanent.
Would father and son eventually reconcile?
Would David return and forgive him?
Would the rebellion collapse after a few weeks?
Ahitophel’s advice was to take an action that would remove all uncertainty.
Once Absalom publicly took possession of the royal household, there would be no turning back.
Everyone would understand that reconciliation was impossible.
The rebellion would be seen as permanent.
Supporters who were sitting on the fence would be forced to choose a side.
Politically, it was brilliant. Cruel. Sinful. But brilliant.
Counsel Number Two - Kill David Tonight
The second piece of advice was even more impressive.
2 Samuel 17 (KJ2000)
1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:
Notice how carefully Ahitophel had analysed the situation.
David was exhausted.
David was vulnerable.
David was running.
David’s forces had not yet regrouped.
Every hour increased David’s chances of survival.
Every day strengthened David’s position.
The solution was obvious.
Attack immediately.
Kill David.
End the war before it truly begins.
Even more remarkable was Ahitophel’s restraint.
He did not propose a massacre.
He did not propose a civil war.
He did not propose the destruction of David’s supporters.
His plan was simple.
Remove one man. Restore peace. Bring the country under Absalom’s sole rule without a real civil war.
The Bible records the reaction.
2 Samuel 17 (KJ2000)
4 And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
Of course it did.
It was excellent advice.
Enter Hushai
Unfortunately for Absalom, David had anticipated this very problem.
Before leaving Jerusalem, David sent Hushai back into the city with a specific assignment.
Frustrate Ahitophel.
David understood something many leaders understand.
If he could neutralise Ahitophel, he had a chance.
If he could not, he was probably finished.
Hushai’s advice sounded impressive.
It appealed to Absalom’s pride.
It appealed to his ego.
It appealed to his desire for glory.
Gather all Israel.
Lead the army yourself.
Attack later with overwhelming force.
It sounded grand.
It sounded heroic.
It sounded kingly.
It was also the wrong advice.
Every day of delay was a gift to David.
Every day allowed David to regroup.
Every day allowed David’s experienced warriors to prepare for battle.
Ahitophel understood this.
Hushai understood this.
David understood this.
The only person who did not understand it was Absalom.
Hushai’s advice made it look like Ahitophel was looking to gain glory and become “the slayer of David“ at Absalom’s expense. It made Ahitophel look like a cheap schemer who wanted to get the credit for killing David. Absalom wanted to be king, but he also wanted to have the glory of killing a great man like David. He did not see that if he had delegated this task to someone like Ahitophel, the very throne he coveted would have easily been his.
Many times, an organisation fails because stakeholders within it are too focused on internal politics rather than external results. They forget that in a football team, who scored the goal is not as important as the fact that the goal was scored.
When The Wrong Advice Wins
One of the most fascinating verses in the entire story follows.
2 Samuel 17 (KJ2000)
14 And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
Notice what Scripture says.
It does not say Ahitophel’s counsel was bad. It does not say Hushai’s counsel was better.
It says God defeated the good counsel of Ahitophel.
The Bible itself acknowledges that Ahitophel was right.
The issue was not wisdom.
The issue was God’s purpose.
David was returning to the throne whether Absalom liked it or not, whether Ahitophel wanted it or not.
“Lord, Make Their Counsel Like the Counsel of Ahitophel”
Many Nigerian Christians have heard this prayer.
Some have prayed it themselves.
“Lord, make their counsel like the counsel of Ahitophel.”
The intention is usually clear.
They are asking God to frustrate the plans of their enemies.
But that is not actually what happened in Ahitophel’s story.
Ahitophel’s counsel was not foolish counsel.
It was not bad counsel. It was not confused counsel.
The Bible says exactly the opposite.
God called it good counsel.
Ahitophel was right.
His analysis was right.
His strategy was right.
His recommendation was right.
The problem was not the quality of the advice.
The problem was that God had already determined the outcome.
David would return to the throne.
Absalom would fall.
A more accurate prayer would be:
“Lord, frustrate every counsel that opposes Your purpose for my life.”
That is exactly what happened in this story.
God did not make Ahitophel foolish.
God simply refused to allow his good counsel to succeed.
When you ask God to make someone’s counsel like the counsel of Ahitophel, you’re asking God to make their counsel good.
A Lesson for Leaders
This is where the story becomes deeply practical.
Sometimes you can receive excellent advice and still not succeed because God is against your course of action.
Sometimes a plan can be flawless on paper and still fail because it opposes God’s purpose.
Sometimes the smartest person in the room can correctly analyse a situation and still lose.
Ahitophel teaches us the value of wisdom.
David teaches us the value of wise counsellors.
But the story also teaches something else.
Wisdom is powerful.
Counsel is powerful.
Strategy is powerful.
But none of them outrank the plans and purposes of God.
The wisest adviser in Israel could not save Absalom from a decision God had already made.
And that brings us to the final chapter of Ahitophel’s story.
What happens when a man whose counsel is almost never wrong discovers that he has been ignored?
The answer is tragic.
Continue in grace!