2 Samuel Chapter 16
David and Ziba
1 When David had gone a little past the summit, Ziba, Mephibosheth’s steward, met him with a couple saddled donkeys. They were carrying 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
2 The king asked, “Why do you have these?”
“The donkeys are for the king’s family to ride. The bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for anybody to drink that’s become exhausted in the country.”
3 “Where’s Mephibosheth?”
“In Jerusalem; he said Israel would restore his father’s kingdom to him today.”
4 He told Ziba, “You can have everything Mephibosheth owns.”
“My lord the king, I prostrate myself. Thanks for being gracious to me.”
2 Sam 16:1-4
Shimei Curses David
5 When David got to Bahurim, Shimei Ben-Gera, a man from Saul’s family, came out cursing 6 and throwing stones at David and his aides. The troops and bodyguard were all around him. 7 He cursed,
“Get out of here, you bloody, worthless fellow! 8 Yahveh has brought back on you the bloodshed of Saul’s family in whose place you’ve ruled. He’s given the kingdom to Absalom. You’re caught in your own evil; you’re a murderer.”
9 Abishai asked the king, “Why should this dead dog curse you? Let me go over and cut off his head.”
10 “What do I have to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? If Yahveh has told him to curse me, why interfere?’”
11 Then David told Abishai and his aides,
“My own son wants to kill me. How much more this Benjamite! Let him curse; Yahveh has told him to. Maybe Yahveh will regard my suffering and return me good for his cursing.”
13 David and his men followed the road. Shimei went along on the hillside parallel to him, cursing and throwing stones and dirt at him. 14 The king and the people with him arrived exhausted, and he refreshed himself there.
2 Sam 16:5-14
The Advice of Hushai and Ahithophel
15 Then Absalom, Ahithophel, and the men of Israel went to Jerusalem. 16 Hushai the Archite, David’s personal advisor, went to Absalom and said, “Long live the king!”
17 “Is this loyalty to your friend? Why didn’t you go with him?”
18 “I’m for the one Yahveh and his people have chosen. 19 Besides, shouldn’t I serve in your presence as I’ve served in your father’s presence?
20 Absalom asked Ahithophel, “What’s your advice?”
21 Ahithophel said,
“Have relations with your father’s concubines that he left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you’ve made yourself repugnant to your father beyond reconciliation. That will encourage everybody that’s with you to strengthen their support for you.”
22 They pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he had relations with his father’s concubines right out in the open for all Israel to see. 23 By both David and Absalom, Ahithophel’s advice in those days was considered the same as inquiring from God’s oracle.
2 Sam 16:15-23