John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. And Hushai said to Absalom , etc.] Having leave to give his opinion freely: the counsel that Ahithophel hath given [is] not good at this time ; he owns that Ahithophel was a good counsellor, and that the counsel he gave was for the most part, if not always, good, but what he gave at this time was not so; the wisest of men may sometimes be mistaken. Abarbinel thinks he respects his former counsel, particularly that that was good, advising him to defile his father’s bed, ( 2 Samuel 16:21); but this was not, for which he gives the following reasons.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-21 - Here was a wonderful effect of Divine Providence blinding Absalom' mind and influencing his heart, that he could not rest in Ahithophel' counsel, and that he should desire Hushai's advice. But there is n contending with that God who can arm a man against himself, and destro him by his own mistakes and passions. Ahithophel's former counsel wa followed, for God intended to correct David; but his latter counsel wa not followed, for God meant not to destroy him. He can overrule all counsels. Whatever wisdom or help any man employs or affords, the success is from God alone, who will not let his people perish.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 חושׁי2365 אל413 אבשׁלום53 לא3808 טובה2896 העצה6098 אשׁר834 יעץ3289 אחיתפל302 בפעם6471 הזאת׃2063
