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.

Ziba Deceives David

When David had gone a little past the summit, there was Tziva, the servant of M'fivoshet, who met him with a pair of donkeys saddled and on them 200 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of raisins, 100 pieces of summer fruit and a skin of wine.

The king said to Tziva, "What do you mean by these?" Tziva replied, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on; the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat; and the wine is for those who collapse in the desert to drink."

The king asked, "Where is your master's [grand]son?"Tziva answered the king, "He's staying in Yerushalayim, because he said, 'Today the house of Isra'el will restore my father's kingship to me.'"

The king said to Tziva, "Everything that belongs to M'fivoshet is now yours." Tziva answered, "I bow down before you; may I find favor in your sight, my lord, king."

Shimei Curses David

When King David arrived at Bachurim, there came out from there a man from Sha'ul's family named Shim'i the son of Gera; and he came out pronouncing curses

and throwing stones at David and all King David's servants; even though all the people, including his bodyguard, surrounded him right and left.

When Shim'i cursed, he said, "Get out of here! Get out of here, you killer, you good-for-nothing!

ADONAI has brought back on you all the blood of the house of Sha'ul. You usurped his kingship, but ADONAI has handed over the kingdom to Avshalom your son. Now your own evil has overtaken you, because you are a man of blood!"

Avishai the son of Tz'ruyah said to the king, "Why allow this dead dog to curse my lord the king? Just let me go over and remove his head!"

The king said, "Do you sons of Tz'ruyah and I have anything in common? Let him curse. If ADONAI tells him, 'Curse David,' who has the right to ask, 'Why are you doing it?'"

David then said to Avishai and all his servants, "Look, my own son, who came from my own body, seeks my life. So how much more now this Binyamini! Let him alone; and let him curse, if ADONAI told him to.

Maybe ADONAI will notice how I'm treating him, and ADONAI will reward me with good instead of his curses."

So David and his men went on their way, while on the opposite hillside Shim'i kept pace with him, cursing, throwing stones and flinging dust as he went.

The king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so he rested there.

Absalom Enters Jerusalem; Hushai's Ploy

Meanwhile Avshalom and all the people, the men of Isra'el, came to Yerushalayim; Achitofel was with him.

Hushai the Arki, David's friend, came to Avshalom and said to him, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"

Avshalom asked Hushai, "Is this how you show kindness to your friend? Why didn't you go with your friend?"

Hushai replied, "No, but whomever ADONAI and this people and all the men of Isra'el choose, his I will be; and with him I will stay.

Moreover, whom should I serve? Shouldn't I serve in the presence of his son? Just as I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence."

Ahithophel’s Sinful Counsel

Avshalom said to Achitofel, "Give your advice as to what we should do."

Achitofel answered Avshalom, "Go in, and sleep with your father's concubines, the ones he left to take care of the palace. All Isra'el will hear that your father utterly despises you, and this will strengthen the position of all those who are on your side."

So they set up a tent for Avshalom on the roof of the palace; and Avshalom went in to sleep with his father's concubines in the sight of all Isra'el.

In those days Achitofel's advice was regarded as highly as if someone had sought out the word of God; it was this way with Achitofel's advice both to David and to Avshalom.

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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2 Samuel16

Ziba Deceives David

Shimei Curses David

Absalom Enters Jerusalem; Hushai's Ploy

Ahithophel’s Sinful Counsel

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