Now someone toldDavid,saying,"Ahithophelis among the conspiratorswith Absalom."And Davidsaid,"O LORD,I pray,makethe counselof Ahithophelfoolishness."
And Absalomsentfor Ahithophelthe Gilonite,David'scounselor,from his cityGiloh,while he was offeringthe sacrifices.And the conspiracywas strong,for the peopleincreasedcontinuallywith Absalom.
The adviceof Ahithophel,whichhe gavein thosedays,[was] as ifone inquiredof the wordof God;sowas allthe adviceof Ahithophel[regarded] by bothDavidand Absalom.
Then Absalomand allthe menof Israelsaid,"The counselof Hushaithe Architeis betterthanthe counselof Ahithophel."For the LORDhad ordainedto thwartthe goodcounselof Ahithophel,sothat the LORDmight bringcalamityon Absalom.
Now whenAhithophelsawthat his counselwas not followed,he saddled[his] donkeyand aroseand wentto his home,to his city,and sethis housein order,and strangledhimself; thus he diedand was buriedin the graveof his father.
Then Absalomsaid,"NowcallHushaithe Architealso,and let us hearwhathe has to say."
So Hushaisaidto Absalom,"Thistimethe advicethat Ahithophelhas givenis not good."
"He frustratesthe plottingof the shrewd,So that their handscannotattainsuccess.
They have also surroundedme with wordsof hatred,And foughtagainst me withoutcause.
O LORD,howmy adversarieshave increased!Manyare risingup againstme.
Evenmy closefriendin whomI trusted,Who atemy bread,Has liftedup his heelagainstme.
Dayand nightthey goaroundher upon her walls,And iniquityand mischiefare in her midst.
For it is not an enemywho reproachesme, Then I could bear[it]; Noris it one who hatesme who has exaltedhimself againstme, Then I could hidemyself from him.
"Then the spiritof the Egyptianswill be demoralizedwithinthem; And I will confoundtheir strategy,So that they will resortto idolsand ghostsof the deadAnd to mediumsand spiritists.
Causing the omensof boastersto fail,Makingfoolsout of diviners,Causing wisemento drawbackAnd turningtheir knowledgeinto foolishness,
"I do not speakof allof you. I knowthe onesI have chosen;but [it is] that the Scripturemay be fulfilled,HE WHO EATSMY BREADHAS LIFTEDUP HIS HEELAGAINSTME.'
Whereis the wise man?Whereis the scribe?Whereis the debaterof thisage?Has not Godmade foolishthe wisdomof the world?
Thiswisdomis not that which comes downfrom above,but is earthly,natural,demonic.
