Abstract
In the biblical narrative of 2 Samuel 15-17, Absalom conspires against his father, King David, and attempts to seize the throne of Israel. Absalom's rebellion gains a key ally when Ahithophel, designated as one of David's senior advisors, joins the forces of Absalom. The reasons behind this défection are obscure in the narrative, and there is no motive stated in the text explaining why Ahithophel would act in this manner toward David. However, the German biblical scholar Gerhard von Rad has drawn attention to an interesting connection between Bathsheba (with whom David has an affair in 2 Sam. 11) and Ahithophel. In 2 Samuel 11:3, Bathsheba is mentioned as "the daughter of Eliam." In 2 Samuel 23:34, Eliam is mentioned as "the son of Ahithophel," hence Bathsheba and Ahithophel seem to be close relatives. This article surveys the major scenes where Ahithophel appears in 2 Samuel 15-17, and explores this genealogical connection as a possible motive for Ahithophel's defection: he is angry and disillusioned with David after the Bathsheba affair and subsequent murder by proxy of her husband, Uriah the Hittite.
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