2 Samuel 17:23
ESV
When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.
NIV
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 house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
NASB
Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out and went to his home, to his city, and set his house in order, and hanged himself; so he died and was buried in his father’s grave.
CSB
When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He set his house in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.
NLT
When Ahithophel realized that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey, went to his hometown, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself. He died there and was buried in the family tomb.
KJV
And 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.
NKJV
Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father’s tomb.
What does 2 Samuel 17:23 mean?
We don't know much about Ahithophel other than he was once David's counselor. Scripture also suggests that he was Bathsheba's grandfather (2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34). David's illicit affair () may have motivated Ahithophel to switch sides. When Absalom was ready to move on his father, Ahithophel left his city Giloh and joined the prince (2 Samuel 15:12). Ahithophel's advice was so reliable that consulting him was compared to getting a word from God (2 Samuel 16:23).Scripture does not say how much Ahithophel counseled Absalom during the planning stages of this coup. When Absalom had gathered the loyalties of the people of Israel and declared himself king, he sent for Ahithophel. It's not stated if the counselor had anything to do with Absalom before that point (2 Samuel 15:12). But it seems unlikely that Absalom would instantly establish such a relationship.
Once Absalom and his followers entered Jerusalem, Ahithophel got to work. He knew that Absalom needed to solidify his hold on the men who had joined him. He told Absalom to have sex with the ten concubines David had left behind to care for his house. This was a shrewd political move. Conquering kings regularly inherited the wives and concubines of the men they displaced. Taking his father's concubines would create an irreparable split. Absalom could never betray his followers by reconciling with. It would be an act of dominance and humiliation over the former king. Doing this in a tent on the roof of David's house just added to the spectacle (2 Samuel 16:20–22).
Once Absalom had established his position, Ahithophel's next step was to take out the competition. He asked for Absalom to send every available soldier to immediately hunt down David and his servants as they fled. They could kill David and bring back his followers like a bride kidnapped by an enemy. Absalom and the elders agreed this was a good idea (2 Samuel 17:1–4).
This advice is, in fact, excellent. But David had made contingencies to counter Ahithophel's advice (2 Samuel 15:32–37). His friend Hushai infiltrated Absalom's council (2 Samuel 16:15–19). When Absalom asked Hushai what he thought of the plan, Hushai produced an alternative that took advantage of Absalom's natural preference for slow, careful action. It also feeds the prince's pride. His counter is to wait until Absalom amasses a grand army. Absalom and the elders changed agreed to Hushai's plan. Hushai had enough time to warn David that an army was coming (2 Samuel 17:15–22).
Ahithophel was foolish enough to follow Absalom, but he is wise enough to understand what Hushai's success meant: he's chosen the wrong side. God's favor may not be for David right now, but it is certainly against Absalom (2 Samuel 17:14). Maybe Ahithophel doesn't realize how incredibly gracious and forgiving David will be after Absalom's death. Maybe he's too proud to go back to David. Whatever the reason, he chooses to kill himself rather than face the repercussions of his treason.
