2 Samuel 16

David Receives Gifts from Ziba

1 When David had gone a short way beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a couple of donkeys that were saddled, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred raisin cakes, a hundred baskets of summer fruit,t and a container of wine.
2 The king asked Ziba, “Why did you bring these things?”t Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s family to ride on, the loaves of breads and the summer fruit are for the attendants to eat, and the wine is for those who get exhausted in the desert.”t3 The king asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?”t Ziba replied to the king, “He remains in Jerusalem,s for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give back to me my grandfather’st kingdom.’”

4 The king said to Ziba, “Everything that was Mephibosheth’s now belongs to you.” Ziba replied, “I bow before you. May I find favor in your sight, my lord the king.”

Shimei Curses David and His Men

5 Then King David reachedt Bahurim. There a man from Saul’s extended family named Shimei son of Gera came out, yelling curses as he approached.t6 He threw stones at David and all of King David’s servants, as well as all the people and the soldiers who were on his right and on his left.7 As he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Leave! Leave! You man of bloodshed, you wicked man!t

8 The Lord has punished you fort all the spilled blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you rule. Now the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. Disaster has overtaken you, for 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 said, “What do we have in common,t you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David!’, who can say to him, ‘Why have you done this?’”11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son, my very own flesh and blood,t is trying to take my life. So also now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone so that he can curse, for the Lord has spoken to him.

12 Perhaps the Lord will notice my afflictions and this day grant me good in place of his curse.”t
13 So David and his men went on their way. But Shimei kept going along the side of the hill opposite him, yelling curses as he threw stones and dirt at them.t

14 The king and all the people who were with him arrived exhausted at their destination, where Davidt refreshed himself.

The Advice of Ahithophel

15 Now when Absalom and all the ment of Israel arrived in Jerusalem,s Ahithophel was with him.

16 When David’s friend Hushai the Arkite came to Absalom, Hushai said to him,t “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17 Absalom said to Hushai, “Do you call this loyalty to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”18 Hushai replied to Absalom, “No, I will be loyal to the one whom the Lord, these people, and all the men of Israel have chosen.t

19 Moreover, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”t
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”21 Ahithophel replied to Absalom, “Have sex witht your father’s concubines whom he left to care for the palace. All Israel will hear that you have made yourself repulsive to your father. Then your followers will be motivated to support you.”t

22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof,s and Absalom had sex witht his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

23 In those days Ahithophel’s advice was considered as valuable as a prophetic revelation.t Both David and Absalom highly regarded the advice of Ahithophel.t

2 Samuel 16

David and Ziba

1 When David had gone a little beyond the top of the hill, he was suddenly met by Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, who had with him a couple of donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred bunches of fresh fruit, and a leather bag full of wine.

2 King David asked him, “What are you going to do with all that?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for Your Majesty's family to ride, the bread and the fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is for them to drink when they get tired in the wilderness.”

3 “Where is Mephibosheth, the grandson of your master Saul?” the king asked him. “He is staying in Jerusalem,” Ziba answered, “because he is convinced that the Israelites will now restore to him the kingdom of his grandfather Saul.”

4 The king said to Ziba, “Everything that belonged to Mephibosheth is yours.” “I am your servant,” Ziba replied. “May I always please Your Majesty!”

David and Shimei

5 When King David arrived at Bahurim, one of Saul's relatives, Shimei son of Gera, came out to meet him, cursing him as he came. 6 Shimei started throwing stones at David and his officials, even though David was surrounded by his men and his bodyguards. 7 Shimei cursed him and said, “Get out! Get out! Murderer! Criminal!

8 You took Saul's kingdom, and now the LORD is punishing you for murdering so many of Saul's family. The LORD has given the kingdom to your son Absalom, and you are ruined, you murderer!”

9 Abishai, whose mother was Zeruiah, said to the king, “Your Majesty, why do you let this dog curse you? Let me go over there and cut off his head!”
10 “This is none of your business,” the king said to Abishai and his brother Joab. “If he curses me because the LORD told him to, who has the right to ask why he does it?” 11 And David said to Abishai and to all his officials, “My own son is trying to kill me; so why should you be surprised at this Benjaminite? The LORD told him to curse; so leave him alone and let him do it. 12 Perhaps the LORD will notice my miseryt and give me some blessings to take the place of his curse.” 13 So David and his men continued along the road. Shimei kept up with them, walking on the hillside; he was cursing and throwing stones and dirt at them as he went.

14 The king and all his men were worn out when they reached the Jordan,t and there they rested.

Absalom in Jerusalem

15 Absalom and all the Israelites with him entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with them.

16 When Hushai, David's trusted friend, met Absalom, he shouted, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17 “What has happened to your loyalty to your friend David?” Absalom asked him. “Why didn't you go with him?”
18 Hushai answered, “How could I? I am for the one chosen by the LORD, by these people, and by all the Israelites. I will stay with you.

19 After all, whom should I serve, if not my master's son? As I served your father, so now I will serve you.”

20 Then Absalom turned to Ahithophel and said, “Now that we are here, what do you advise us to do?”
21 Ahithophel answered, “Go and have intercourse with your father's concubines whom he left behind to take care of the palace. Then everyone in Israel will know that your father regards you as his enemy, and your followers will be greatly encouraged.”

22 So they set up a tent for Absalom on the palace roof, and in the sight of everyone Absalom went in and had intercourse with his father's concubines.

23 Any advice that Ahithophel gave in those days was accepted as though it were the very word of God; both David and Absalom followed it.