2 Samuel 15:31 Meaning: David's Prayer Against Ahithophel's Counsel

2 Samuel 15:31 reports that David was told Ahithophel was among Absalom's conspirators, and David prayed that the Lord would turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness.

“And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.” (KJV)

2 Samuel 15:31 Meaning

In this verse, David receives a report that Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. In response to this information, David directly addresses the Lord with a prayer, saying, “O Lord, I pray thee”. His request is clear: he asks the Lord to turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness, meaning that he desires Ahithophel's advice to be rendered ineffective and without merit.

Context of 2 Samuel 15:31

The verses preceding 2 Samuel 15:31, specifically 2 Samuel 15:29-30, depict David and his followers in a state of mourning as they leave Jerusalem. They are visibly distressed, which sets the emotional tone for the report about Ahithophel. However, it is essential to note that these circumstances do not cause David's prayer; rather, verse 31 presents the report about Ahithophel and David's immediate response to it.

Following this verse, in 2 Samuel 15:32-33, Hushai the Archite arrives to meet David. While this continuation of the narrative is important, it does not imply that Hushai's arrival is a direct answer to David's prayer or that David's request caused the subsequent events. The focus remains on David's plea to God regarding the counsel of Ahithophel.

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