2 Samuel 16:23
2 Samuel 16:23 Meaning and Explanation
“And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ahithophel's counsel was so esteemed it was treated like a word from God.
What Does 2 Samuel 16:23 Mean?
The chapter closes by measuring Ahithophel's reputation: in those days his counsel was prized as though a man had inquired of God Himself, valued so by both David and Absalom.
Here is a gift bent to a treacherous end. Wisdom, when severed from faithfulness, becomes a weapon against the very king it once served. The verse sets the stage for the next turn, where God will overrule even this near-oracular counsel, proving that no human wisdom can prevail when the Lord has purposed otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 16:23
What does 2 Samuel 16:23 mean?
Ahithophel's counsel was so esteemed it was treated like a word from God.