2 Samuel 16
International Standard Version Par ▾ 

David’s Experience with His Adversaries

1Now just as David happened to have passed the summit of the Mount of Olives,a suddenly Mephibosheth’s servant Ziba met him, accompanied by a couple of saddled donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 pieces of summer fruit, and a skin of wine! 2The king asked Ziba, “What are those for?”

Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for your young men to eat, and the wine is for whoever wants to drink if they get weary in the wilderness.”

3Then the king asked, “Where is your master’s son?”

“He’s staying in Jerusalem!” Ziba answered the king. “He’s saying ‘The nationb of Israel will restore my father’s kingdom to me today!’”

4So the king told Ziba, “Pay attention! Everything that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!”

In response Ziba said, “I’m submitting to you. Let me find favor in your sight, your majesty the king!”

Shimei Curses David

5Later on, as King David approached Bahurim, Gera’s son Shimei, who was related to the family of Saul’s household, went out to meet David,c cursing continually as he approached. 6He threw rocks at David and all of David’s staff who were accompanying him, while all the rest of the entourage, including all of David’s security detail, were close by him.d 7“Get out of here!e Get out!” Shimei yelled as he cursed. “You murderer! You who think you’re above the law!f 8The LORD has repaid you personally for murdering the entire dynasty of Saul, whose place you’ve taken to reign! And the LORD has given the kingdom into your son Absalom’s control. Now look! Your own evil has caught up with you, because you’re guilty of murder!”

9At this point, Zeruiah’s son Abishai asked the king, “Why should this dead dog be cursing your majesty the king? May I have permission to go over and cut off his head?”

10But the king responded, “What do I have in common with you sons of Zeruiah? If he continues to curse—and if the LORD has told him, ‘Curse David!’—then who are you to be demanding to knowg ‘Why have you done this?’”

11So David ordered Abishai and all of his staff: “Look! My own son wants to kill me! How much more now is this descendant of Benjamin? Leave him alone and let him go on cursing, because the LORD has ordered him to do this.h 12Perhaps the LORD will take note of my troubles and return good to me instead of curses today!”

13So David and his entourage went on their way, and Shimei walked along the hillside with him, cursing, throwing rocks, and tossing dirt at Davidi as they went along. 14Eventually, the king and his entourage arrived exhausted at their destination, and Davidj refreshed himself there.

Absalom Captures Jerusalem

15Right about then, Absalom and his entourage from the people of Israel entered Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel. 16When David’s friend Hushai the Archite approached Absalom, Hushai greeted Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17But Absalom asked Hushai, “So this is how you demonstrate your loyaltyk to your closest friends? Why didn’t you leave with your friend?”

18Hushai replied, “No! On the contrary, whomever the LORD, this group, and all the men of Israel choose is where I’ll be, and I’ll remain with him! 19Besides, who else should I be serving? Why not the son? The same way I served your father, I’ll serve you.”l

Ahithophel Counsels Absalom

20So Absalom asked Ahithophel, “What’s your advice? What should we do?”

21Ahithophel responded, “Go inside and have sex with your father’s mistressesm , whom he left to keep the palace in order. Then everyone in Israel will hear how your father has come to hate you and everyone who has joined you will be emboldened to act.” 22So they erected a tent for Absalom on the palace roof and Absalom went in and had sex with his father’s mistresses right in front of all Israel.

Ahithophel Tries to Crush David’s Supporters

23Now Ahithophel’s advice that he provided at that time was being compared to one who inquired of God, so highly regarded was Ahithophel’s counsel by both David and Absalom.


Footnotes:
a 16:1 The Heb. lacks of the Mount of Olives
b 16:3 Lit. house
c 16:5 The Heb. lacks to meet David
d 16:6 Lit. were at his right and left hands
e 16:7 The Heb. lacks of here
f 16:7 So LXX. MT reads You man of Belial!
g 16:10 Lit. be saying
h 16:11 The Heb. lacks to do this
i 16:13 Lit. him
j 16:14 Lit. he
k 16:17 Lit. gracious love
l 16:19 Lit served in your father’s presence, I’ll serve in your presence
m 16:21 Or concubines; i.e. secondary wives



The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1
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