Bad Guys of the Bible: Ahithophel, From Friend to Foe

by David Chadwick

God’s story is the greatest story ever told. Ups and downs. Twists and turns. Good guys and bad guys. It all makes for a wonderful storyline that points directly to the grace and mercy of Jesus.

Many bad guys are highlighted in God’s Word and are obstacles to the victories God ultimately accomplishes.

Today’s bad guy is Ahithophel.

Ahithophel was originally a close confidant and trusted advisor of King David. David relied on him for wise counsel and insight into difficult decisions.

Later, Ahithophel betrayed David and became an advisor to David’s rebellious son Absalom. If you remember, Absalom has already been mentioned as another one of my bad guys of the Bible.

2 Samuel 16:23 says, “Absalom followed Ahithophel’s advice, just as David had done. For every word Ahithophel spoke seemed as wise as though it had come directly from the mouth of God.”

Have you ever known someone like this? A smooth talker? Someone with polished words and a wicked heart? Beware of such people!

Absalom went on to take Ahithophel’s advice about how to effectively war against David and it cost David everything! The same way Judas was to Jesus, Ahithophel was to David. You will see where David laments of betrayal in Psalm 41:9 when he says, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, has turned against me.”

Why did Ahithophel betray David, you might ask? Many scholars think it was because Bathsheba was Ahithophel’s niece. If you remember the biblical account, David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then went on to murder her husband Uriah.

I wonder what would have happened if Ahithophel had confronted David like Nathan. Or what if David had spoken to Ahithophel his Psalm 51 confession? Ahithophel may not have ended up as one of the Bible’s bad guys and David’s future could have looked very different. Offense and inward bitterness can cause the kindest of people to become absolute scoundrels.

As for David, pride truly does come before the fall (Proverbs 16:18). But when we humble ourselves before the Lord, he really does lift us up (James 4:10). Had David never humbled himself before the Lord, he very well could have been known alongside Ahithophel as another bad guy in the Bible!

But King David did humble himself and God forgave him—as he will all of us as well!