2 Samuel 16:23

“And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he had counselled in those days, etc.] Both in the days of David, and in the days of Absalom, before and since the rebellion: [was] as if a man had inquired of the oracle of God; such an opinion was entertained of it, so well satisfied were they with it, and as confident of success in taking it, as if the Lord himself had been consulted by Urim and Thummim; this is a very great exaggeration of Ahithophel’s counsel, and is observed as a reason why it was so readily taken, though so bad in the preceding instance: so [was] all the counsel of Ahithophel, both with David and with Absalom; Ahithophel was a crafty man, a time server, that temporized with…”

“The counsel, &c. - It was received by the people with equal veneration, and was usually attended with as certain success. Which is mentioned as the reason why a counsel which had so ill a face, should meet with such general approbation. Next: 2 Kings (2 Samuel) Chapter 17”

“16:23 from the mouth of God: Cp. 17:14.”

“as if: Num 27:21; Sa1 30:8; Psa 28:2; Pe1 4:11 oracle of God: Heb. word of God, Psa 19:7 so was: The first counsel of this sagacious but wicked man to Absalom was more like an oracle of Satan, both for subtlety and atrocity. He advised the shameless measure just detailed, in order to establish Absalom, and to preclude the possibility of a reconciliation with David. The wives of a conquered king were always the property of the conqueror; and in possessing these he appeared to possess the right to the kingdom. all the counsel: Sa2 17:14, Sa2 17:23; Job 5:12, Job 28:28; Jer 4:22, Jer 8:9; Mat 11:25; Luk 16:8; Rom 1:22; Co1 3:19, Co1 3:20; Jam 3:13-18 both: Sa2 15:12; Ecc 10:1 Next: 2 Kings (2…”