2 Samuel 17:14 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Absalom and all Israel prefer Hushai's counsel, for the LORD had ordained to thwart Ahithophel's good advice and bring disaster on Absalom.
What Does 2 Samuel 17:14 Mean?
The decision falls: Absalom and all the men of Israel judge Hushai's counsel better. Then the narrator lifts the veil and names the true cause. The Lord Himself had 'appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel,' so that judgment would come upon Absalom's rebellion.
Here the whole chapter's hidden hand is revealed. Human persuasion happened, real and clever, yet behind it stood the sovereign purpose of God answering David's prayer. Scripture does not hide that the Lord works through human choices to accomplish His ends. What men decided freely, God had ordained, and His justice moved unseen through a council that thought itself in control.
2 Samuel 17:14 in the Original Language
tsavah (צָוָה), 'appointed' -- commanded or ordained, marking the LORD's decisive purpose behind events.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 17:14
What does 2 Samuel 17:14 mean?
Absalom and all Israel prefer Hushai's counsel, for the LORD had ordained to thwart Ahithophel's good advice and bring disaster on Absalom.