2 Samuel 17:23

_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._ When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed - his vanity was wounded, his pride mortified, on finding that his ascendancy was gone; but that chagrin was aggravated by other feelings-a painful conviction that, through the delay which had been resolved on, the cause of Absalom was lost. Hastening home, therefore, he arranged his private affairs, and knowing that the storm of retributive vengeance would fall chiefly upon him, as the instigator and prop of the rebellion, he hanged himself. It may be remarked that the Israelites did not at that time refuse the rights of sepulture even to those who died by their own hands. He had an imitator...

22-29 Ahithophel hanged himself for vexation that his counsel was not followed. That will break a proud man's heart which will not break a humble man's sleep. He thought himself in danger, concluding, that, because his counsel was not followed, Absalom's cause would fail; and to prevent a possible public execution, he does justice upon himself. Thus the breath is stopped, and the head laid low, from which nothing could be expected but mischief. Absalom chased his father. But observe how God sometimes makes up to his people that comfort from strangers, which they are disappointed of in their own families. Our King needs not our help; but he assures us, that what we do for the least of his brethren, who are sick, poor, and destitute, shall be accepted and recompensed as if done to himself...

Verse 2 Samuel 17:23. _PUT HIS HOUSEHOLD IN ORDER_] This self-murder could not be called _lunacy_, as every step to it was deliberate. He foresaw Absalom's ruin; and he did not choose to witness it, and share in the disgrace: and he could expect no mercy at the hands of David. He was a very bad man, and died an unprepared and accursed death....

TO HIS CITY - To Giloh (marginal reference). Ahithophel was probably influenced by deep mortification at the slight put upon him by rejecting his counsel. He is a memorable example of the impotence of worldly wisdom. Compare the marginal reference....

EXPOSITION 2 SAMUEL 17:1 LET ME NOW CHOOSE OUT TWELVE THOUSAND MEN. The advice of Ahithophel was such as would have made success almost certain. The rebellion had taken David by surprise, and he was quite unprepared to resist the large forces which Absalom had gathered round him. But the better part of the nation disapproved of the enterprise, especially when they perceived that David's life was in danger; and consequently his followers, in course of time, would increase. Moreover, the day had been one of extreme moral and mental trial to David. Upon the sudden news of Absalom's approach, he had to arrange for the flight of his wives and children; to provide supplies for their wants, and for those of their attendants on the march; to give orders to his officers, and take means to prevent their flight degenerating into a panic. Then, wi

AND WHEN AHITHOPHEL SAW THAT HIS COUNSEL WAS NOT FOLLOWED,.... But that of Hushai: HE SADDLED [HIS] ASS; or ordered it to be saddled: AND AROSE, AND GAT HIM HOME TO HIS HOUSE, TO HIS CITY; which was Giloh in the tribe of Judah, 2 Samuel 15:12; AND PUT HIS HOUSEHOLD IN ORDER; made his will, and disposed of his estates, see Isaiah 38:1; or "commanded his house" or "household" t; gave orders and instructions, both relating to himself when dead, where and how he should be buried, and to his family, how they should behave to one another and among their neighbours, and towards their superiors; and particularly, the Jews say u, he gave them this charge, not to rebel against the government of the house of David: AND HANGED HIMSELF; so

7. ABSALOM, AHITOPHEL, AND HUSHAI CHAPTER 17 _ 1. The counsel of Ahitophel and Hushai (2 Samuel 17:1)_ 2. The counsel made known to David (2 Samuel 17:15) 3. Ahitophel commits suicide (2 Samuel 17:23) 4. Absalom pitched in Gilead (2 Samuel 17:24) 5. The kindness of Shobi, Machir and Barzillai (2 Samuel 17:27) Ahitophel's counsel was aimed at the person of David only. He wanted to have him killed and thus by the death of the one man bring all Israel back. But Ahitophel had not

DAVID COMES TO MAHANAIM (J). 2 Samuel 17:15. Meanwhile David was in constant communication with his agents in Jerusalem through Jonathan and Ahimaaz. But one day, apparently when the news of Ahithophel's advice was being conveyed to David, they were seen and pursued, but escaped by being hidden in a well (_cf._ Joshua 2:6), and got away and brought the news to the king. 2 SAMUEL 17:17. EN-ROGEL: 1 Kings 1:9 *. 2 Samuel 17:20. brook: _michal,_ a word of unknown meaning, occurring only here....

PUT HIS HOUSEHOLD IN ORDER. gave charge unto his household. HANGED HIMSELF. Not so much because his counsel was not, taken, but because his revenge was not taken on David (see note on 2 Samuel 11:3; 2 Samuel 16:21, and 2 Samuel 17:1), and that the conspiracy must fail. Same word in Matthew 27:5 as in Septuagint here _(apegxato),_ as though to invite the comparison of Judas with Ahithophel....

The suicide of Ahithophel 23. _to his city_ Giloh. See ch. 2 Samuel 15:12. _put his household in order_ Lit. _gave charge concerning his house_: arranged his affairs and made his will. Cp. 2 Kings 20:1. _hanged himself_ Like Judas (Matthew 27:5). It is the first deliberate suicide on record, and was prompted by mortification at the rejection of his counsel; by the chagrin of baffled ambition; by the conviction that now the rebellion would inevitably fail, and that he would only live to suffer a traitor's death....