The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the inner sanctuary of God. All the counsel of Ahithophel was like this both with David and with Absalom.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 23. Absalom. It tended to promote the end which was desired, ( Bible.) whether good or bad. His prudence is hyperbolically compared with the divine oracles; ( Menochius.) and his authority must have had great weight, since David began to take precautions, only after he had heard that Achitophel had joined the rebels; and Absalom was persuaded ( Calmet.) to perpetrate so foul and unnatural a crime publicly, no one daring to make any opposition. Chusai was silent; as he was aware that, if he began to contradict this counsellor at first, he would only incur suspicion. Bible.—The unjust commonly endeavour by all means to attach people to themselves: but God, in the end, turns their counsels against themselves. Worthington.