Topic summary
Ahithophel

Extracted from the Wikipedia article Ahitophel.
Ahitophel, Achitofel, or Ahithophel (Hebrew: אֲחִיתֹפֶל, romanized: ʾĂḥīṯōp̄el, lit. 'My Brother is Folly'), according to the Hebrew Bible, was a counselor of King David and a man greatly renowned for his wisdom. During Absalom's attempt to usurp the throne, he deserted David and supported Absalom, whom he then turned to as an advisor. To counteract Ahitophel's counsel, the fleeing David sent his friend Hushai back to Absalom. Seeing that his advice against David had not been followed due to Hushai's influence, Ahithophel surmised that the revolt would fail, returned to his hometown of Giloh, and hanged himself. He was buried in "the sepulcher of his fathers".