And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom.
2 SAMUEL 17:14KJVWhat does 2 Samuel 17:14 mean?
2 Samuel 17:14 describes how Absalom and the leaders of Israel decided to follow the advice of Hushai the Archite instead of Ahithophel, even though Ahithophel’s advice was actually wiser. The verse explains that this happened because the LORD had determined to frustrate Ahithophel’s good counsel, planning to bring trouble upon Absalom.
In this scene, Absalom is leading a rebellion against his father, King David. Two advisors—Ahithophel and Hushai—offer competing strategies. The leaders choose Hushai’s plan, but the verse makes clear that this choice was not just political; it was guided by the LORD’s purpose. The text highlights that God was actively working behind the scenes to ensure Absalom’s downfall.
The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 17:14
- יְהוָה (YHWH, transliterated "YHWH" or "the LORD") is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible. Its use here emphasizes that the events are under God’s direct control, not just human decision-making.
- פָּרַר (parar, “defeat” or “frustrate”) is used for how the LORD “appointed to defeat” Ahithophel’s advice. This word often means to break or nullify, showing that God actively undid what would have been wise human counsel.
- טוֹב (tov, “good” or “better”) describes Ahithophel’s advice. The verse calls his counsel “good,” making it clear that the rejection was not because of its quality but because of God’s intervention.
- רָעָה (ra‘ah, “evil” or “disaster”) is used for the “evil” or trouble that the LORD intended to bring upon Absalom. This word often means calamity or harm, showing the seriousness of the outcome God was bringing.
Why 2 Samuel 17:14 matters
- This verse clarifies that even when people make decisions for their own reasons, God’s purpose can override human wisdom and plans.
- The verse highlights the turning point in Absalom’s rebellion, showing that the failure to follow Ahithophel’s advice directly leads to Absalom’s downfall.
- By calling Ahithophel’s advice “good,” the text underlines that the outcome was not due to poor strategy but to God’s deliberate action, reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty in the narrative.