AHITOPIIEL, a celebrated character in scripture. He was at one time David's most intimate friend and counsellor; but afterwards became his most inveterate enemy ; for after Absalom had succeeded in exciting a general disaffection to his father's government, Ahi tophel instantly joined him, and became the most active of all the conspirators. David was more alarmed by the defection of this experienced politician, than by all the thousands who crowded round the standard of rebellion; and he earnestly prayed, that the Lord might turn his counsel into foolishness. It was not without reason that David was thus alarmed; for we find Ahitophel instantly recommending the most prompt and effectual measures to destroy the power and authority of his former friend. The first thing lie recommended was, that Absalom should go in to his father's concubines, in the sight of all Israel. The object of this nefarious counsel was, to cut off all hopes of reconciliation between the father and son, and to drive Absalom to such extremes, that, de spairing of pardon, he might execute with vigour the plan he had undertaken. After carrying this point, the next measure, proposed by Ahitophel, was intended to be still more decisive ; he requested permission to pur sue David with twelve thousand chosen men, promising confidently, that he would instantly put an end to the war, by the death of the king. But, on this subject, Hushai the Archite, (who had joined Absalom for the express pur pose of defeating the counsel of Ahitophel,) being asked his opinion, recommended a very different mode of pro ceeding. He advised Absalom to collect all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and thus to overwhelm the king with numbers, stating, very plausibly, the danger of driving a person of David's known courage to desperation. As
this appeared the safest plan, it was adopted in preference to that of Ahitophel, who, foreseeing that this measure would end in the total ruin of the conspirators, and cha grined, that his counsels, which used to be received as oracles, had been rejected, instantly went home, set his house in order, and hanged himself. In order to ac count for the defection of Ahitophel, the Jews have a story of his being the grandfather of Bathsheba; arid that it w as to avenge her dishonour that he took up arms his sovereign. This story rests on no au thority, and besides is very improbable ; for, if he the grandfather of Bathsheba, he must have been a %cry old man at the time of Absalom's rebellion, winch would accord ill with the vigour of counsel and promp •itude of action, which he displayed. Tile truth seems to be, that lie was a man without ally principle hut am bition; and that he hoped to enjoy a still higher degree of power and authority under a weak and inexperienced Noung man, than he did under the vigorous and saga cious policy of his father ; and, having once taken his measures, he saw that he could not retreat with safety. This circumstance urged hint on to the most desperate undertakings. And lie entertained the greater animo sity against Da\ id, as we generally hate most the pcl' .3011S whom we have most offended. (g)