2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 15:31Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Did Absalom not choose of his own accord to heed the counsel that ultimately led to his ruin, even though he acted upon it because the Lord had honored his father's prayer and allowed it to happen?

From the account of Ahithophel, we learn that when David prayed, he requested, “Destroy the counsel of Ahithophel.” Thus, when faced with threats of various forms of distress, harm, or even death, turn your gaze toward the Lord, who indeed “destroys the counsels of tongues, and sweeps away the thoughts of men” (Psalm 32:10).

As David made his escape, he discovered the betrayal of Ahithophel. In response, he turned to his Lord, pleading not for divine retribution against the traitor, but for the nullification of his advice. He prayed, ‘Condemn the counsel of Ahithophel, O my God’ (2 Kings 15:31). Aquila rendered the term for condemn as ‘mad,’ indicating it to mean ‘render foolish and irrational.’