שמואל ב, פרק י״ז, פסוק כ״ג

The sober realization of a brilliant strategist witnessing the collapse of his political web leads to a final, calculated move designed to preserve his honor and his family's wealth. When the wise advisor realizes his counsel has been rejected, he immediately grasps the fatal consequences. He saddles his donkey [מצודת ציון] and abandons his temporary residence in Jerusalem, returning to his permanent home in his native city of Giloh [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Possessing immense wisdom, he identifies the underlying weakness of the rebellion. He understands that the rejection of his strategy is a direct intervention from God, orchestrated to thwart his plans and save David. He clearly foresees Absalom's inevitable defeat and David's restoration to the throne. Knowing that David will surely execute him as the chief rebel, he fears the impending disgrace, suffering, and public punishment [רלב״ג, רד״ק, חומת אנך].

Preparing for the end, he writes a will and settles his estate, acting as a man on the verge of death [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Tradition notes that this will contains three primary instructions for his sons. First, he warns them never to rebel against the Davidic dynasty, recognizing that God openly assists them. Second, he advises against doing business with someone who is currently experiencing a streak of extraordinary success. Finally, he provides specific agricultural guidance regarding the sowing of wheat [אברבנאל].

Following these preparations, he takes his own life. This act is not merely a result of despair, but rather a carefully calculated legal and financial strategy. The primary approach among commentators is that if he had waited to be executed by David, he would have been formally condemned as a rebel against the crown, resulting in the confiscation of all his property to the royal treasury. By preemptively ending his life, he prevents this confiscation and guarantees that his wealth will pass intact to his heirs [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, חומת אנך, אברבנאל]. This decision also impacts his burial. Taking his own life allows him to be buried with dignity in his family tomb as a man of status, a privilege that would have been denied had he been executed and buried as a traitor [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Ultimately, as a result of his actions, his life is cut short, and he dies at the age of only thirty-three [אברבנאל].