The Rise and Fall of Achitofel

A Brilliant Strategist Turned Betrayer

Achitofel the Gilonite was a native of Giloh in the territory of Yehudah and served as a trusted advisor to King David. Later, he switched allegiances and became the chief strategist to Avshalom, David’s son, who rebelled against his father.

Achitofel was also closely tied to David through family: he was the grandfather of Batsheva, David’s wife. His son, Eliam, was one of David’s thirty mighty warriors.

His advice was renowned for its brilliance. The Book of Shmuel testifies:

“Now the counsel of Achitofel, which he counseled in those days, was as if one inquired of the word of Hashem; so was all the counsel of Achitofel, both with David and with Avshalom” (Shmuel II 16:23).

Yet this trusted advisor betrayed David. According to the Malbim, Achitofel’s betrayal was driven by vengeance: he saw David as unfit to rule because of the death of his grandson-in-law, Uriah the Hittite, whom David had sent to the front lines where he was killed. “I alone will kill him,” Achitofel declared, “for I am the blood avenger of Uriah, my son-in-law” (Malbim on Shmuel II 17:2).

Chazal teach that Achitofel also believed he was destined to be king. He interpreted a sign, leprosy that appeared on his body, as proof of his royal future (Sanhedrin 101b). He allied with Avshalom but secretly hoped to sabotage him too, making both David and Avshalom unfit for the crown so that he alone would ascend to power.

Foiled by Divine Intervention

Achitofel’s first piece of advice to Avshalom was shocking: to sin publicly with David’s concubines, thereby solidifying his rebellion in the eyes of the nation. His second plan was more tactical. He advised a surprise nighttime assault with 12,000 soldiers to strike David’s camp while they were weak and exhausted:

“Let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight. I will come upon him while he is weary and weak-handed, and terrify him… and I will strike down the king alone” (Shmuel II 17:1–2).

However, David had sent Chushai HaArki to infiltrate Avshalom’s circle and present himself as a loyal advisor. Chushai deliberately gave conflicting advice: to wait and gather a massive force before engaging David. Avshalom accepted Chushai’s counsel, giving David time to regroup and escape.

The Radak comments that although Achitofel’s plan was tactically sound and likely to succeed, Hashem caused it to be rejected:

“This plan too was correct, and had it been followed, David would have been killed. But Hashem commanded that the plan be foiled.”

A Final Warning and a Tragic End

When Achitofel saw that his advice had been ignored and realized that David would likely survive and punish him, he returned home, put his affairs in order and took his own life by hanging.

Before his death, Achitofel left a final will to his sons, recorded in the Gemara (Bava Batra 147b):

1. Do not involve yourselves in baseless disputes.

2. Do not rebel against the monarchy of David's family.

3. On Shavuot, if the sky is clear, plant wheat.

The first two are straightforward: Achitofel had seen firsthand the destruction caused by internal conflict and rebellion. His third instruction appears cryptic, but holds deeper meaning. Wheat, the symbol of wisdom (“A child does not know how to call ‘father’ until he has tasted grain” – Berachot 40a), represents Torah and understanding.

Shavuot, the day the Jewish people accepted the Torah with the declaration “Na’aseh v’nishma” (“We will do and we will hear”), represents submission to Divine will, even before understanding. Achitofel taught that wisdom and success come not from logic alone, but from surrendering to Hashem’s command, even when human intellect cannot comprehend it.

The Origin of “Eitzat Achitofel”

Today, the Hebrew idiom “Eitzat Achitofel” (Achitofel’s advice) is used to describe dangerous or insincere counsel. Although Achitofel's advice was often wise and strategically sound, his intentions were corrupt. He used his brilliance not in service of truth, but in pursuit of personal revenge and power.