And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
Absalom sent for Ahithophel - who he knew was ready to join the revolt, through disgust and revenge, as Jewish writers assert, at David's conduct toward Bath-sheba, who was his granddaughter.
Giloh - near Hebron х mi-Giloh (H1542)]. [The nomina Gentilia, Giyloniy (H1526), 'Iyloniy. (1 Kings 11:29; 1 Kings 12:15), lead us from the supposed form to the substantive termination -own-which liquids may drop, and express the remaining waw (w) vowel by he (h) (Ewald, sec. 163).]
The conspiracy was strong. The rapid accession of one place after another, in all parts of the kingdom, to the party of the insurgents, shows that deep and general dissatisfaction existed at this time against the person and government of David. The remnant of Saul's partisans, the unhappy affair of Bath-sheba, the overbearing insolence and crimes of Joab, negligence and obstruction in the administration of justice, were some of the principal causes that contributed to the success of this widespread insurrection (cf. Psalms 3:1).