And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, [was] as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so [was] all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
Ver. 23. And the counsel,] q.d., Though this was horrid counsel, yet because it was facinus maioris abollae, the counsel of Ahithophel, it passed for current, and was well approved by Absalom and the facilous Israelites. Dotibus scelerati Satanae et libidinibus suis ministrant. Wicked men abuse their abilities and their authority to the service of sin and Satan, as Augustine bitterly bewaileth it in Licentius, a scholar of his, learned but lewd.
Was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God.] So Plutarch saith of Archimedes the Syracusian, that he had the name and fame of understanding not human but divine. a And of Polybius, the historian, it is reported, that Scipio never miscarried in any enterprise, carried on according to his counsel.
Both with David and with Absalom.] David's chief counsellors were God's testimonies: Psa 119:24 to these as to the test he brought all counsel given him, whether by Ahithophel or any other; and held it for a rule that if any "spoke not according to these, it was because there was no light in them." Isa 8:20 Indeed, Absalom and his adherents followed Ahithophel's counsel howsoever, as infallible, because it was for their purpose. So the Papists would persuade us that the Pope's placits are ipsissimum De; verbum. b And if a priest teach this or that, be it true or false, the people are, without further trial, to take it as God's oracle. c Is not this to be "the servants of men?" 1Co 7:23 Is it not an honour due to Christ alone, to be believed on his bare word, to be the only Aυτος εφα, to be self-credible?
a ουκ ανθρωπινης αλλα δαιμονιου τινος συνεσεως. - Pausan. lib. viii.
b Hosius.
c Stapleton.