2 Samuel 17

Ahithophel, Absalom's wise counselor, advises an immediate, lightning-fast pursuit of David. However, David's loyal spy, Hushai the Archite, gives Absalom counter-advice, proposing a delay to gather a massive army. Hushai's plan is to give David time to escape across the Jordan. Absalom accepts Hushai's deceptive counsel, a decision orchestrated by God to foil Ahithophel. Ahithophel, seeing his sound advice rejected and realizing the rebellion will fail, hangs himself.