Playlist: Ahithophel (topic)

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Israelite Soap Opera

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Ahithophel, born in Giloh around 1050 BC, was a man of Judah, likely 20 to 40 years older than David. His name, meaning "brother of folly," stood in ironic contrast to his reputation as David's most trusted and wise counselor, whose advice was likened to inquiring at the oracle of God, as noted in II Samuel 16:23. Hailing from …

Bitterness Can Kill

Sermon by Mike Ford

Ahithophel, a close friend and counselor to King David, hailed from Giloh, a town between Bethlehem and Hebron in the territory of Judah. As a man of great wisdom, his advice was regarded as if one had inquired at the oracle of God, both by David and later by Absalom. He served as David's chief counselor for about twenty years, …

Psalm 55

Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Ahithophel, known as the wisest man in Israel and once David's trusted counselor, played a pivotal role in the rebellion of Absalom. His counsel was regarded as akin to divine wisdom, making his defection to Absalom's side a severe blow to David's monarchy. When David learned of Ahithophel's betrayal, as recorded in II Samuel …

Don't Be a Politician

Sermon by Mike Ford

Ahithophel served as one of King David's closest advisers until he joined Absalom's conspiracy against the king. Absalom sent messengers to summon him from Giloh during the early stages of the revolt, and his participation encouraged more people to support the plot. When David learned of this betrayal, he did not pray for …

Psalm 51 (Part One): Background

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

David's counselor was Ahithophel. He was about seventy years old at the time of David's adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. His name means brother of folly, yet he was regarded as the wisest man in Israel, whose counsel was considered equivalent to the counsel of God and the words of the Lord. He served as David's …

Psalms: Book Two (Part Three)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In Psalm 55 David describes the acute pain of betrayal by Ahithophel, his trusted companion and fellow worshipper who had shared intimate counsel and walked with him to the house of God. When Absalom rebelled, Ahithophel joined the uprising, leaving David emotionally paralyzed and unable to cross the Jordan promptly as he …

John (Part Twenty-One)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Ahithophel served as one of David's counselors yet turned against him, switching allegiance to Absalom during the rebellion. The text presents this switch as the probable subject of Psalm 55:12-14, where David laments the betrayal of a trusted companion who had shared intimate counsel and walked with him to the house of God. …

Disproving Hell