And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
2 SAMUEL 15:31KJVWhat does 2 Samuel 15:31 mean?
2 Samuel 15:31 describes how David learns that Ahithophel, one of his trusted advisors, has joined Absalom’s rebellion. In response, David prays and asks the LORD to turn Ahithophel’s advice into foolishness so that it will not succeed.
The verse takes place during Absalom’s revolt against his father David. Someone informs David about Ahithophel’s betrayal, which is a serious blow because Ahithophel was known for wise counsel. David immediately turns to prayer, showing his dependence on God rather than his own strategies, and asks God to undermine the effectiveness of Ahithophel’s advice.
The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 15:31
- LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): David addresses his prayer directly to the personal name of God, highlighting the intimacy and urgency of his request.
- counsel (עֵצָה, ‘etsah): This word refers to advice or guidance, and Ahithophel’s counsel was highly respected. David’s prayer specifically targets the wisdom and influence of Ahithophel’s advice.
- foolishness (סָכֵל, sakel): David asks God to make Ahithophel’s advice ineffective or senseless, turning what is usually wise into something unhelpful or even harmful to Absalom’s cause.
Why 2 Samuel 15:31 matters
- This verse shows the depth of David’s crisis by revealing that even his closest advisors could turn against him, making the threat from Absalom even more serious.
- David’s immediate turn to prayer, rather than panic or plotting, emphasizes his trust in God’s control over human plans and wisdom.
- The verse sets up a key theme in the surrounding chapters: the limits of human wisdom and the ultimate authority of God to overturn even the best-laid plans.