³¹ Now David had been told, “Ahithophel^(A) is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”

²⁰ Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”

17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would^[a] choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.

¹⁴ Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice^(A) of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.”^(B) For the Lord had determined to frustrate^(C) the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster^(D) on Absalom.^(E)

²³ When Ahithophel saw that his advice^(A) had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order^(B) and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.