Ahithophel
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(2 Sam. 15:12) (brother of folly, foolishness) — a native of Giloh, a close friend, companion, and counselor of David (2 Chron. [rather, 2 Sam.] 27:33 [as given]). He was undoubtedly one of the most eminent legal minds of his time. His counsel was regarded as the word of the Lord (2 Sam. 16:23). Absalom followed Ahithophel’s counsel in one matter — that is, when he went in to David’s concubines, so that the people might know that all bond between father and son was broken. Absalom persuaded him to join the conspiracy against his father David, but the drastic measures proposed by Ahithophel for carrying out Absalom’s ambitious plans were all set aside in favor of Hushai’s counsel.
Ahithophel, seeing that the certain outcome of the conspiracy would be Absalom’s ruin and the failure of his cause, which would undoubtedly be followed by his own downfall, returned to Giloh, and there in despair hanged himself and was buried in the tomb of his father (2 Sam. 17:20).