2 Samuel 17:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Absalom {H53} and all the men {H376} of Israel {H3478} said {H559}, The counsel {H6098} of Hushai {H2365} the Archite {H757} is better {H2896} than the counsel {H6098} of Ahithophel {H302}. For the LORD {H3068} had appointed {H6680} to defeat {H6565} the good {H2896} counsel {H6098} of Ahithophel {H302}, to the intent {H5668} that the LORD {H3068} might bring {H935} evil {H7451} upon Absalom {H53}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Avshalom and all the men of Isra'el said, "The advice of Hushai the Arki is better than the advice of Achitofel"- for ADONAI had determined to frustrate the good advice of Achitofel, so that ADONAI could bring disaster on Avshalom.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the LORD had purposed to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

American Standard Version

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For Jehovah had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that Jehovah might bring evil upon Absalom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 17:14 marks a decisive turning point in Absalom's rebellion against King David, revealing the profound truth of divine sovereignty. Despite Ahithophel's strategically sound counsel, Absalom and the men of Israel were divinely swayed to accept Hushai's deceptive, yet ultimately God-ordained, counter-counsel. This pivotal decision was a direct act of the Lord, who "appointed to defeat" Ahithophel's plan, ensuring Absalom's eventual downfall and demonstrating God's unwavering control over human affairs, even amidst political intrigue and rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a tense strategic confrontation between two opposing counsels during Absalom's usurpation of David's throne. Following David's hasty flight from Jerusalem, Ahithophel, David's former trusted advisor who defected to Absalom, offered what was considered "good" and decisive counsel: to immediately pursue David with a small, swift force and strike him down while he was weary and vulnerable ([2 Samuel 17:1-3](/2_samuel/17-1 "2 Samuel 17:1-3 - Ahithophel's Counsel to Absalom")). This plan was militarily astute and, if executed, would likely have ended the rebellion swiftly by eliminating David. However, David, in an act of desperate faith and strategic genius, had sent his loyal friend Hushai the Archite back to Jerusalem with a mission to infiltrate Absalom's inner circle and "turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" ([2 Samuel 15:32-37](/2_samuel/15-32 "2 Samuel 15:32-37 - David Sends Hushai Back")). Hushai, empowered by divine providence, presented an alternative counsel that appealed to Absalom's vanity and desire for overwhelming glory, advocating for a delay to gather an immense army from all Israel ([2 Samuel 17:7-13](/2_samuel/17-7 "2 Samuel 17:7-13 - Hushai's Counter-Counsel")). Verse 14 records the moment Absalom and his council chose Hushai's seemingly less urgent, yet divinely manipulated, plan, setting the stage for David's escape and Absalom's eventual defeat.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Israel during the period of the monarchy, specifically a time of civil war. Kingship was often seen as divinely ordained, and rebellion against an anointed king was not merely a political act but also a theological affront. Counselors like Ahithophel held immense power and influence, often acting as chief strategists and advisors, whose wisdom was highly valued and often followed without question. Ahithophel's counsel was particularly potent because he was known for his sagacity, with his advice being "as if one had inquired at the oracle of God" ([2 Samuel 16:23](/2_samuel/16-23 "2 Samuel 16:23 - Ahithophel's Reputation")). The cultural emphasis on military strength and the desire for a decisive, glorious victory would have made Hushai's appeal to gather "all Israel" resonate with Absalom's ambition, even if it meant sacrificing the element of surprise. This context underscores the extraordinary nature of Absalom's decision to reject Ahithophel's "good" counsel, highlighting a supernatural intervention.

* **Key Themes:** The most prominent theme in this verse is **Divine Sovereignty**, explicitly stated as "the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel." This demonstrates God's ultimate control over human plans and events, even those arising from rebellion and human sin. Closely related is the theme of **Answered Prayer**, as this divine intervention directly fulfills King David's desperate plea to God to "turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness" upon hearing of his defection ([2 Samuel 15:31](/2_samuel/15-31 "2 Samuel 15:31 - David's Prayer Regarding Ahithophel")). The verse also powerfully illustrates the **Consequences of Rebellion**, as God's purpose in defeating Ahithophel's counsel was "to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom." This "evil" refers to calamity and judgment, highlighting that defiance against God's anointed order leads to divine retribution, ultimately culminating in Absalom's tragic death ([2 Samuel 18:9-15](/2_samuel/18-9 "2 Samuel 18:9-15 - Absalom's Death")). Finally, the narrative contrasts **Human Wisdom vs. Divine Wisdom**, showing that even the most strategically sound human counsel is futile if it opposes God's sovereign will, and seemingly foolish plans can become instruments of divine purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Counsel (עֵצָה, _etzah'_):** This Hebrew term refers to advice, plan, or purpose. In this context, it highlights the strategic and political wisdom offered by Ahithophel and Hushai. Ahithophel's counsel was considered "good" (טוֹב, _tov_), meaning effective, beneficial, and strategically sound from a human perspective. The contrast between the two counsels underscores the tension between human wisdom and divine purpose, demonstrating that even the most brilliant human plans are subject to God's ultimate will.
* **Appointed to defeat (צָוָה לְהָפֵר, _tsavah l'hafer'_):** This powerful phrase signifies God's active, intentional, and authoritative role in overturning Ahithophel's plan. `Tsavah` means "to command, appoint, ordain," indicating a divine decree. `Hafer` means "to break, frustrate, nullify, make void." Together, they convey that God did not merely permit Ahithophel's counsel to fail, but actively intervened to render it ineffective, demonstrating His direct and sovereign orchestration of events to achieve His purposes.
* **Evil (רָעָה, _ra'ah'_):** In this context, `ra'ah` does not primarily refer to moral wickedness but to misfortune, calamity, disaster, or judgment. God "bringing evil upon Absalom" means that He orchestrated events to bring about Absalom's downfall and destruction as a consequence of his rebellion against David, God's anointed king. It signifies a deserved outcome, a divine judgment against Absalom's defiance, rather than God actively performing a morally evil act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Absalom and all the men of Israel said,"**: This clause establishes the consensus reached by Absalom and his council, representing the collective decision of the rebellious faction. It indicates that Hushai's counter-counsel was not merely accepted by Absalom, but by the wider leadership, lending it legitimacy and setting the stage for its implementation.
* **"The counsel of Hushai the Archite [is] better than the counsel of Ahithophel."**: This is the human declaration, the apparent choice made by Absalom and his advisors. From a human perspective, Ahithophel's counsel was indeed "good" and strategically superior for a swift victory. The decision to deem Hushai's counsel "better" was a critical turning point, a human choice that unknowingly aligned with God's pre-ordained plan, despite its tactical inferiority for Absalom's immediate goals.
* **"For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel,"**: This is the divine explanation, the theological lens through which the human decision must be understood. The conjunction "For" (כִּי, _ki_) introduces the true, underlying reason for Absalom's choice. It explicitly states that God Himself had decreed the nullification of Ahithophel's wise counsel. This reveals God's active intervention, turning the hearts and minds of Absalom and his men, not through coercion but through subtle influence, to reject the path that would have led to David's immediate destruction.
* **"to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom."**: This final clause reveals God's ultimate purpose behind His intervention. The "evil" here refers to the disaster and downfall that would befall Absalom. God's defeat of Ahithophel's counsel was not arbitrary but a deliberate act of divine judgment. By delaying Absalom's pursuit of David, God allowed David time to regroup and ultimately ensured Absalom's defeat and death, thereby bringing about the consequences of his rebellion against the divinely established king.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs several literary devices. **Irony** is central, as Absalom and his council believe they are making a wise strategic choice by preferring Hushai's counsel, when in reality, they are unwittingly choosing the path to their own destruction, orchestrated by the very God whose anointed king they are rebelling against. There is a strong element of **Divine Intervention** (or **Deus ex Machina**, though here it's a theological rather than narrative contrivance), where God explicitly steps into the human drama to alter its course, demonstrating His active hand in history. The narrative also uses **Foreshadowing**, as the Lord's stated intent "to bring evil upon Absalom" clearly signals Absalom's impending doom, which is realized in [2 Samuel 18](/2_samuel/18 "2 Samuel 18 - Absalom's Defeat and Death"). Finally, the passage highlights a stark **Contrast** between human wisdom (Ahithophel's "good counsel") and divine wisdom/purpose, showing that even the most brilliant human plans are subservient to God's ultimate will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly underscores the biblical doctrine of divine sovereignty, asserting that God is not a passive observer but an active orchestrator of history, even in the midst of human sin and rebellion. It teaches that while human beings make choices and devise plans, God's ultimate purposes will prevail. The defeat of Ahithophel's "good" counsel demonstrates that no human wisdom, strategy, or power can thwart the will of the Almighty. This divine intervention, in response to David's desperate prayer, highlights the efficacy of prayer and God's faithfulness to His covenant and His anointed ones. It also serves as a solemn reminder of the consequences of rebellion against God's established order, showing that divine judgment, though sometimes delayed, is certain. God's purpose in bringing "evil" (calamity) upon Absalom reveals His justice and His commitment to upholding His righteous rule.

* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of 2 Samuel 17:14 offers profound comfort and a sobering warning for believers today. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and the seemingly overwhelming power of human schemes, this verse reminds us that God remains sovereign over all. Even when circumstances appear dire, and the plans of adversaries seem insurmountable, we can rest in the assurance that God is actively working behind the scenes, orchestrating events to fulfill His divine purposes. This should inspire unwavering trust and persistent prayer, knowing that our petitions for divine intervention are heard and can be answered in unexpected and miraculous ways, just as David's prayer was. Conversely, the verse serves as a powerful caution against opposing God's will or His chosen instruments. No human ambition, however cunning or powerful, can ultimately succeed if it stands in defiance of the Almighty's plan. Our ultimate wisdom lies not in our own strategic brilliance, but in aligning our lives and plans with God's perfect will, trusting in His perfect timing and ultimate justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the explicit statement "For the LORD had appointed" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's sovereignty in your own life and in world events?**
* **Can you recall a time when a seemingly "good" plan of yours or others was thwarted, only for God's better, though perhaps initially unseen, purpose to be revealed?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the power of prayer, especially when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles or cunning adversaries?**
* **In what ways might we, like Absalom, unknowingly choose a path that leads to "evil" (calamity) by prioritizing our own vanity or perceived wisdom over God's revealed will?**

### FAQ
**Was Ahithophel's counsel truly "good" from a strategic perspective, and why was it rejected?**

Answer: Yes, Ahithophel's counsel was indeed "good" and strategically brilliant from a human military perspective. He advised an immediate, swift pursuit of David while he was weary and vulnerable, which would have likely ensured Absalom's quick victory and the decisive end of the rebellion ([2 Samuel 17:1-3](/2_samuel/17-1 "2 Samuel 17:1-3 - Ahithophel's Counsel")). It was rejected not because of its inherent flaw, but because "the LORD had appointed to defeat" it. God supernaturally influenced Absalom and the men of Israel to prefer Hushai's counter-counsel, which, though appealing to Absalom's vanity, gave David crucial time to escape and regroup, ultimately leading to Absalom's downfall. This demonstrates that even the most astute human wisdom is subject to God's sovereign will.

**How does God "bring evil" upon Absalom, and what does this imply about God's character?**

Answer: When the text states that the Lord "might bring evil upon Absalom," it means God orchestrated events to bring about calamity, disaster, and judgment upon him, not that God committed moral evil. Absalom's rebellion was a grave sin against God's anointed king, David, and a defiance of God's established order. God's "bringing evil" was a just consequence for Absalom's actions. By defeating Ahithophel's counsel, God allowed David to escape and gather strength, which directly led to Absalom's defeat and death ([2 Samuel 18:9-15](/2_samuel/18-9 "2 Samuel 18:9-15 - Absalom's Death")). This implies that God is righteous and just, upholding His moral order and ensuring that rebellion against His will ultimately leads to ruin, demonstrating His control over the outcomes of human choices.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine orchestration seen in 2 Samuel 17:14, where God defeats human counsel to accomplish His sovereign purpose, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God turned Ahithophel's "good" counsel into foolishness to save David, so too did God turn the "wisdom" of the world and the schemes of humanity into foolishness to accomplish the salvation of mankind through the cross. The crucifixion of Jesus, seemingly a defeat and a tragic end to human eyes, was in fact the predetermined "definite plan and foreknowledge of God" ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Plan for the Cross")). The Jewish leaders and Roman authorities, in their "counsel" to crucify Christ, believed they were eliminating a threat, yet they were unwittingly fulfilling God's eternal purpose to reconcile the world to Himself. What the world considered foolishness—a crucified Messiah—God declared to be His power and wisdom for salvation ([1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Foolishness of the Cross")). Through Christ's death and resurrection, God definitively defeated the "counsel" of sin, death, and the devil, bringing about the ultimate "evil" (judgment) upon the forces of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Jesus, the true King, whose kingdom "is not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")), ultimately reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), having triumphed over all human and demonic opposition through His perfect obedience and sacrifice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 15:34

But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy father's servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

1 Corinthians 1:19

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

1 Corinthians 1:20

Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

Isaiah 8:10

Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.

2 Samuel 15:31

¶ 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.

Proverbs 19:21

¶ [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Proverbs 21:30

¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.