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

1
When David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. ​
2
The king said to Ziba, What do you mean by these? Ziba said, The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as are faint in the wilderness may drink.
3
The king said, “Where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem; for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore me the kingdom of my father.’” ​
4
Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that pertains to Mephibosheth is yours.” Ziba said, “I do obeisance. Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, O king.” ​

Shimei Curses David

5
When king David came to Bahurim, behold, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He came out, and cursed still as he came. ​
6
He cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
7
Shimei said when he cursed, “Be gone, be gone, you man of blood, and base fellow! ​
8
The LORD has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned! the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son! Behold, you are caught by your own mischief, because you are a man of blood!” ​
9
Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and take off his head.” ​
10
The king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David;’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” ​
11
David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, “Behold, my son, who came out of my bowels, seeks my life. How much more this Benjamite, now? Leave him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has invited him. ​
12
It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me good for the cursing of me today.” ​
13
So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him, and cursed as he went, threw stones at him, and threw dust.
14
The king, and all the people who were with him, came weary; and he refreshed himself there.

Absalom Enters Jerusalem; Hushai's Ploy

15
Absalom, and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. ​
16
When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” ​
17
Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?” ​
18
Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but whomever the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I be, and with him I will stay. ​
19
Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn’t I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”

Ahithophel’s Sinful Counsel

20
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”
21
Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, that he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.” ​
22
So they spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house; and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. ​
23
The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. ​

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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options