SENDING FOR AHITHOPHEL

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Back in Hebron Absalom was very busy keeping up appearances. He went to offer some sacrifices. However, he did more. While he was at the place of worship, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite. Ahithophel was known as one of David’s counselors. So, Absalom asked Ahithophel to come join him in his plot to overthrow the reign of David.

The nation looked up to Ahithophel. They saw him as a man of great wisdom. The Talmud calls Ahithophel a man similar to Balaam. This implies though he was known for his great wisdom from heaven, he had no humility. Wisdom without humility is useless. Like Balaam, this gift from above also became Ahithophel’s stumbling block. Instead of appreciating this gift from God Ahithophel coveted worldly power.

TRAITS OF THE ORACLE

Because of this gift of wisdom as well as scholarship, Ahitophel was known in the land as an oracle. Even Socrates studied under his teachings. Ahithophel was also known as an astute astronomer. He possessed great knowledge of the constellations. Ahithophel realized the stars in the sky were telling God’s story to mankind. However, he did not use this knowledge in the proper respect and honor of God. His motives were selfish and self-serving.

Because of his self-serving desires, Ahithophel made a huge error in judgment. He fatally misinterpreted what he read in the stars. Ahithophel interpreted the prophesies about Bathsheba as if they referred to himself instead of her. After her marriage to King David Ahithophel saw those stars rising in power. He took these signs to mean he would rise into the position of a king. This was his downfall. It was one of the things which encouraged him to collaborate with Absalom. He wasn’t studying the stars to glorify God. Ahithophel used this knowledge as a tool to gain his own power.

We see this process taking place today when people decide to dabble in astrology instead of sticking to pure astronomy. They soon become consumed with their own powers. God’s story gets put on the backburner and astrology becomes a tool for worldly gain.

DAVID’S EXPERIENCES WITH AHITHOPEL

Scripture records King David using Ahithophel’s counsel twice. The first time was during the days when Uzzah was struck down while transporting the ark. David was looking for solid answers. Ahithophel gave King David answers, but they were vague and evasive. He could have been much more detailed. Yet, he held back.

The second time David sought counsel from Ahithophel was about a problem in excavating the land where the Temple foundation was to be. When David began clearing the land and moving the dirt there came a great flood. The King needed a quick and sure remedy. After David threatened Ahithophel’s life to obtain this answer, Ahithophel explained that David needed to throw in a tile with the name of God engraved upon it. When David did this, the flooding stopped. Soon the excavations were able to continue.

AHITHOPHEL’S JEALOUSY

Though Ahithophel always seemed to have the answers, he also held back. This happened because he did not really wish to see David’s success. David knew Ahithophel was capable of obtaining certain answers. So, he threatened to hang Ahithophel if he did not give the needed counsel. Ahithophel then provided the answers the King was seeking. However, he resented that the King got to use his advice to be successful.

Ahithophel was jealous that David could be King and he was not. He felt God had given him the knowledge of a king. He always noticed and pointed out that David had to ask of him the most important answers. This made Ahithophel feel he was supposed to rank higher than David.

AHITHOPHEL’S AMBITIONS

We mentioned in a previous lesson that Ahithophel most likely held a low opinion of David. A lot of this began because of the fact that Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather. He knew a lot of personal details about the worst of David’s sins.

With these bad feelings Ahithophel already maintained against King David, Absalom had no problem convincing Ahithophel to change sides. Ahithophel was happy to stand with him. However, unknown to Absalom was the fact that Ahithophel was most likely standing by him now so he could rise above him once the reign of David was done. Similar to many politicians of today’s world, we note Ahithophel was a user of people with power in order to get more of his own power.

Many have compared the actions and decisions of Ahithophel to Judas Iscarot. This is because of the way he was planning to betray David’s confidence. Most likely, had he been given the chance, Ahithophel would have eventually sold Absalom out too. He was only using him as a bribe for his own power-play to rule Israel.

ANOTHER PARALLEL

Looking closer, I can see how Ahithophel’s life story presents another parallel to end times prophecies. We have already seen how Absalom parallels the antichrist. Now we can also observe how Ahithophel compares to the false prophet described in end times. A very similar partnership existed between these two men. We know the antichrist and the false prophet will also be partners in crime during the last days.

Thus, as in many other stories, this story comes across as another pattern of end time events. They are all lurking in the background of this part of David’s story. We can see a more complete picture unfolding as we go along. The patterns are reflected through people, events and places mentioned in the stories. So far we have seen how David is a shadow of Yeshua. Then we saw Absalom as a shadow of the antichrist. Now we can identify Ahithophel as a shadow of the false prophet. I wonder what else we will find as we continue this study? These prophetic backgrounds have truly piqued my interest.

AHITHOPHEL’S END

Later in our story, we will see how Absalom’s rebellion did not work out the way Ahithophel desired. At this point, Ahithophel hung himself. Ahithophel’s end was the same as Judas Iscarot’s. This is another pattern and parallel we can notice.

We know that Satan has used many men as antichrist throughout the generations of mankind. It would be interesting to note how many of those figures led lives which ended tragically in suicide. Not a fun topic though. I think I’ll save that for another day. Let’s continue to look at the story of how Absalom seduced Ahithophel into becoming a partner in his plan to overthrow the throne of David.

As things progressed, when all the people saw David’s former counsel come over to the side of Absalom they were impressed. Absalom gained even more followers.

VERSE

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom.” (Jeremiah 9:23)

PRAYER

Father, when you grant us the privilege of walking in precious gifts from heaven, teach us to use them with wisdom and only to your glory. Help us remember to be very humble in our thinking, living and in our advice to others. Keep us from the temptation of self-worship and the desire to obtain our own power. May we always simply reflect Your glory. Amen