2 Samuel 15:31
And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
When David hears his trusted advisor is part of the rebellion, he doesn't strategize or panic; instead, he immediately prays for God to disrupt Ahithophel's wisdom. This shows David's profound understanding that human counsel, even the best, is ultimately powerless against God's sovereign ability to frustrate wicked plans. It's a powerful reminder that our deepest strength lies not in outthinking our enemies, but in appealing to the One who holds all wisdom and power.
King David is fleeing Jerusalem, his own son Absalom having led a rebellion to seize the throne. As David escapes, he learns that his trusted advisor, Ahithophel, has betrayed him and joined forces with Absalom, a devastating blow that would have given Absalom critical strategic insight. In response, David turns to God in prayer, asking for divine intervention to thwart Ahithophel's wise, yet now treacherous, counsel.
Imagine the sting when someone you confided in, someone you deeply trusted, sides with your enemy. This is the gut punch David experiences here.
The Sharpness of Disloyalty
David receives devastating news: Ahithophel, a counselor known for his wisdom (often compared to an oracle), has joined Absalom's rebellion. This wasn't just any advisor; Ahithophel's counsel was so highly valued that it was considered as authoritative as a word from God. For Ahithophel to turn against David shows the brutal reality of betrayal. It’s a reminder that even those closest to us can wound us deeply.
A King's Vulnerability
David, the mighty warrior and chosen king, is shown here not as an invincible leader, but as a man deeply wounded by personal disloyalty. This moment highlights his humanity and the emotional toll of such a crisis.
When the worst possible news hits, and betrayal cuts deep, where do you turn? David’s immediate response isn't to plot revenge, but to pray.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Samuel 15:31 is available in the Sola app.
The Power of a Prayerful Plea
David’s prayer, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness,” is a powerful example of seeking divine intervention. He doesn't try to outsmart Ahithophel himself; instead, he appeals to the ultimate authority – God – to nullify the enemy's plans. This is not passive resignation, but an active reliance on God's sovereignty.
God's Sovereignty Over Counsel
David understands that even the wisest human plans are subject to God’s control. His prayer acknowledges that true wisdom comes from the Lord and that He can frustrate even the most brilliant, yet wicked, schemes. This should be an encouragement to us: no matter how daunting the challenges or how shrewd the opposition, God can make it crumble.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the covenant-making God of Israel. It represents His self-existence, holiness, and faithful presence with His people.
etsah · Hebrew Noun
The act of giving advice or plans, often implying strategic wisdom or policy. In Scripture, human counsel is often weighed against the sovereign purposes of God.
siklut · Hebrew Noun
The state of lacking wisdom, sound judgment, or spiritual insight. Biblically, it often refers to an inability to perceive or act according to God's truth, leading to failure or moral error.
Ahithophel was a brilliant strategist, David's former counselor, and possibly Bathsheba's grandfather. His defection to Absalom's rebellion, and the immediate blessing of his counsel by the rebels, made him the greatest immediate threat to David's throne and life. David's desperate prayer here highlights the deep personal betrayal and the immense danger he faced.
c. 1010 BC
David Anointed King
Samuel anoints David as king over Israel, though Saul is still reigning. This begins a period of intense conflict between David and Saul.
c. 1000 BC
David Becomes Sole King
After Saul's death, David is crowned king over all Israel and establishes his capital in Jerusalem, ushering in a golden age.
c. 992 BC
David's Sin with Bathsheba
David commits adultery with Bathsheba and arranges for her husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle. This act leads to severe consequences for David's family.
c. 990 BC
Amnon's Assault on Tamar
David's son Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar. This fuels resentment and sets the stage for further family turmoil.
c. 987 BC
Absalom Kills Amnon
In revenge for Tamar's rape, David's son Absalom murders his half-brother Amnon. Absalom then flees into exile.
c. 985 BC— this verse
Absalom's Return and Rebellion
Absalom is allowed to return to Jerusalem but remains estranged from David. He begins to subtly undermine David's authority, eventually launching a full-scale rebellion with widespread support.
c. 984 BC
David Flees Jerusalem
As Absalom's rebellion gains momentum, David is forced to flee Jerusalem with his loyal followers. Ahithophel, a trusted advisor, defects to Absalom's side.
This passage expresses David's deep hurt and betrayal by a close companion, mirroring the pain he felt when Ahithophel, his trusted counselor, joined Absalom's rebellion.
Proverbs 15:22This proverb directly echoes David's prayer, highlighting the principle that wise counsel is crucial for success and that God can frustrate plans that lack divine wisdom.
Isaiah 8:10This verse offers a powerful assurance that no human plan or counsel, however seemingly wise, can ultimately succeed if it is against the Lord's will, reinforcing David's desperate plea.
Acts 4:23-28This New Testament passage shows early believers praying for God to intervene against rulers who conspired against Jesus, demonstrating a similar reliance on God to thwart wicked counsel and actions.
When David hears his trusted advisor is part of the rebellion, he doesn't strategize or panic; instead, he immediately prays for God to disrupt Ahithophel's wisdom. This shows David's profound understanding that human counsel, even the best, is ultimately powerless against God's sovereign ability to frustrate wicked plans. It's a powerful reminder that our deepest strength lies not in outthinking our enemies, but in appealing to the One who holds all wisdom and power.
King David is fleeing Jerusalem, his own son Absalom having led a rebellion to seize the throne. As David escapes, he learns that his trusted advisor, Ahithophel, has betrayed him and joined forces with Absalom, a devastating blow that would have given Absalom critical strategic insight. In response, David turns to God in prayer, asking for divine intervention to thwart Ahithophel's wise, yet now treacherous, counsel.
King David is fleeing Jerusalem, his own son Absalom having led a rebellion to seize the throne. As David escapes, he learns that his trusted advisor, Ahithophel, has betrayed him and joined forces with Absalom, a devastating blow that would have given Absalom critical strategic insight. In response, David turns to God in prayer, asking for divine intervention to thwart Ahithophel's wise, yet now treacherous, counsel.
"And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”" — When David hears his trusted advisor is part of the rebellion, he doesn't strategize or panic; instead, he immediately prays for God to disrupt Ahithophel's wisdom. This shows David's profound unders…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
