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2 Samuel 15:31

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 15:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Jehovah, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Jehovah, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
2 Samuel 15:31 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28See, I will tarry at the fords of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
29Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they abode there.
30And David went up by the ascent of the [mount of] Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered, and went barefoot: and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
31And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Jehovah, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
32And it came to pass, that, when David was come to the top [of the ascent], where God was worshipped, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head.
33And David said unto him, If thou passest on with me, then thou wilt be a burden unto me:
34but if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father`s servant in time past, so will I now be thy servant; then wilt thou defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.
← 2 Samuel 15:302 Samuel 15:32 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And [one] told David, etc.] That came either from Hebron or from Jerusalem: Ahithophel [is] among the conspirators with Absalom; Absalom sent for him, and it seems he came to him, and continued with him, (see <101512>2 Samuel 15:12); and David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness; either suffer him to give foolish counsel, or confound the schemes projected by him, and let them not be carried into execution; for God can, and sometimes does, disappoint crafty counsellors, that they cannot perform what they devise, but they are taken in their own craftiness, and their counsel is carried headlong, (<180512>Job 5:12,13); this prayer was answered, (<101714>2…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“David said, Turn, O Lord, . . . the counsel of Ahithophel--this senator being the mainstay of the conspiracy.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:31 let Ahithophel give . . . foolish advice: David also sent a double-agent, Hushai, to confound Ahithophel’s advice (15:32-37; 17:1-14).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Ahithophel: Sa2 15:12; Psa 3:1, Psa 41:9, Psa 55:12, Psa 55:14; Mat 26:14, Mat 26:15; Joh 13:18 O Lord: Psa 55:15, Psa 109:3 turn the counsel: Sa2 16:23, Sa2 17:14, Sa2 17:23; Job 5:12, Job 12:16-20; Isa 19:3, Isa 19:11-25; Jer 8:8, Jer 8:9; Co1 1:20, Co1 3:18-20; Jam 3:15 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 15:32”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Samuel 15 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification