2 Samuel 15

David betrayed by a trusted counselor

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. 2 Samuel 15:12

David's own trusted counselor joins the conspiracy against him. Ahithophel foreshadows Judas, who betrayed Jesus; Psalm 41:9, traditionally connected with Ahithophel, is quoted by Jesus about Judas.

• a type of what is in John 13:18 — Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9, 'He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me,' of Judas.
• a type of what is in Matthew 26:14-16 — Judas conspires with the chief priests.

Loyal follower of the rejected king

And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. 2 Samuel 15:21

Ittai, a foreigner, vows to stay with the rejected king in death or life. It echoes the disciples' vow to follow Jesus even to death, a vow Ittai kept.

• a type of what is in Luke 22:33 — Peter: 'I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.'

Crossing the brook Kidron

And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. 2 Samuel 15:23

The rejected king of Israel crosses the brook Kidron in sorrow. A thousand years later the Son of David crossed the same brook with His disciples on the night He entered Gethsemane.

• a type of what is in John 18:1 — Jesus 'went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden.'

Submission to the Father's will

And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: 2 Samuel 15:25–26

Fleeing toward Olivet, David surrenders his future to the LORD: 'let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.' It echoes the Savior's submission on the Mount of Olives, 'not my will, but thine, be done.'

• a type of what is in Luke 22:42 — 'Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.'

Weeping on the Mount of Olives

And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. 2 Samuel 15:30

The betrayed king climbs the Mount of Olives weeping, head covered and barefoot, with his people weeping around him. It foreshadows Jesus, the rejected Son of David, going to the Mount of Olives in anguish to suffer in Gethsemane.

• a type of what is in Luke 22:39-44 — Jesus goes to the mount of Olives and prays in agony.
• a type of what is in Luke 19:41 — Descending the mount of Olives, Jesus beheld the city and wept over it.

Jehovah

And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. 2 Samuel 15:31

Betrayed, David turns to the LORD in prayer rather than revenge, trusting Jehovah to defeat the counsel of the traitor.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• the same event in 2 Samuel 15:12 — Ahithophel's defection to Absalom.