The name Achithophel (Ahithophel) is interpreted as 'brother of foolishness' or 'my brother is folly.' Ironically, this man was renowned for the sharpest counsel in Israel — 'as if one inquired of the word of God' (2 Samuel 16:23). His counsel ultimately proved foolish when it led him to betray David and later hang himself.
Ahithophel was David's most trusted counselor and possibly the grandfather of Bathsheba (if Eliam of 2 Samuel 11:3 is the same as Eliam son of Ahithophel in 2 Samuel 23:34). When Absalom rebelled, Ahithophel betrayed David and joined the conspiracy (2 Samuel 15:12). His counsel was considered so reliable that it was compared to divine oracle. But when Absalom rejected his final strategic advice in favor of Hushai's, Ahithophel knew the rebellion would fail — so he went home, set his affairs in order, and hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23). Many see his story as a tragic type of Judas Iscariot: the trusted friend who betrayed the anointed king. Psalm 41:9 ('Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me') is often linked to both Ahithophel and Judas.