ACHITOFEL. - A shrewd counsellor, later a traitor, of David, native of Gilo (Giala) in the mountains of Judah, father of the hero Elia (II Reg. 23, 24). In Absalom’s conspiracy he took the side of the rebellious son, causing great sorrow and distrust in David who, seeing himself now lost, turned to the Lord that He might render the latter’s counsels vain (II Reg. 15, 31). In order to prevent any agreement between father and son, A. advised Absalom to unite himself incestuously and publicly with the concubines left in Jerusalem by his father and not to give respite to the disheartened fugitive king. But Absalom followed his counsel only in the first part, and allowed himself to be persuaded by Chusai to delay. Out of personal pique, and aware that the rebel’s cause was now desperate, A. returned to Gilo and, having put his house in order, hanged himself. II Reg. 16-17.
In the Psalms (40, 10; especially 54, 13-15) David expresses his indignation and sorrow over the betrayal of his intimate confidant, to whom Jesus seems to allude in reference to Judas (Io. 13, 18).