2 Samuel16

As King David flees Jerusalem, Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, deceives him about Mephibosheth's loyalty, resulting in David granting all of Mephibosheth's possessions to Ziba. Further along, Shimei, a relative of Saul, curses David and throws stones, but David forbids retaliation, viewing it as a divine allowance or test. Meanwhile, Absalom enters Jerusalem with Ahithophel, who advises him to publicly defile David's concubines to solidify his reign and alienate his father.
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Ziba Deceives David

1
When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. ​
2
“Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
3
“Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king. And Ziba answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’” ​
4
So the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” “I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!” ​

Shimei Curses David

5
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. ​
6
He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left.
7
And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ​
8
The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!” ​
9
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!” ​
10
But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’” ​
11
Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so. ​
12
Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.” ​
13
So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David.
14
Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived, exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

Absalom Enters Jerusalem; Hushai's Ploy

15
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. ​
16
And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” ​
17
“Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?” ​
18
“Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain. ​
19
Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.”

Ahithophel’s Sinful Counsel

20
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”
21
Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” ​
22
So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. ​
23
Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice. ​

Study Notes for 2 Samuel 16

Verse 1

As David fled Jerusalem, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, strategically met him with supplies. This generosity was calculated to gain David’s favor and trust.

Verse 3

Ziba falsely accuses Mephibosheth of remaining in Jerusalem in hopes of seizing the throne, capitalizing on David’s fear of continued animosity from Saul's house.

Verse 4

Distressed and preoccupied by Absalom’s revolt, David makes a rash judgment, transferring all of Mephibosheth's property to Ziba without investigation. This judgment is later partially reversed (19:29).

Verse 5

Bahurim was a village in Benjamin, Saul’s tribe. Shimei, a relative of Saul, represents the deep resentment the Benjamites felt toward David for taking the kingship.

Verse 7

Shimei accuses David of being a 'bloody man,' likely in reference to the deaths of Saul’s descendants (though David was not directly responsible) or perhaps echoing the judgment for the murder of Uriah.

Verse 8

Shimei views David's current suffering under Absalom as divine retribution for usurping the house of Saul, demonstrating the political and theological complexity of the civil war.

Verse 9

Abishai, known for his fierceness, wanted to execute Shimei immediately for disrespecting the anointed king. David’s refusal shows remarkable humility and restraint.

Verse 10

David silences his men by suggesting that Shimei’s cursing is permitted, or perhaps even commanded, by the LORD. David accepts his humiliation as discipline necessary for his past sins.

Verse 11

If David is willing to endure the mortal threat from his own son, he reasons, he should certainly endure the verbal abuse of a Benjamite, placing trust in God’s ultimate plan.

Verse 12

David expresses hope that his patient suffering and endurance will move God to show mercy and reward him for accepting the affliction, turning the curse into a blessing.

Verse 15

Absalom’s entrance into Jerusalem marks the successful, initial phase of the coup, solidifying his control over the capital and the machinery of government.

Verse 16

Hushai the Archite, David's loyal friend, begins his mission as a double agent (cf. 15:34) by offering a deceptive greeting to Absalom, feigning loyalty to the new regime.

Verse 17

Absalom is naturally suspicious of Hushai, knowing the depth of his friendship with David. Hushai must offer a convincing theological and political justification for his apparent betrayal.

Verse 18

Hushai cleverly uses the language of divine and popular election, arguing that he follows the king whom God and the people have chosen, thereby masking his true allegiance.

Verse 21

Ahithophel's counsel was strategically brilliant but morally devastating: by publicly defiling David's concubines, Absalom would make reconciliation impossible, strengthening the resolve of his followers and fulfilling Nathan's prophecy of judgment (12:11).

Verse 22

The public nature of this act, performed on the roof of David's palace, symbolized Absalom's complete seizure of his father's royal authority and property in the eyes of all Israel.

Verse 23

Ahithophel’s counsel was so highly regarded that it was treated as divine revelation. This reputation makes Hushai’s task of successfully undermining his advice in the following chapter critical to David's survival.

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