2 Samuel 16

David gets cussed and stoned

Two donkeys for David

1When David crossed the Mount of Olives, one of Mephibosheth’s [1] servants showed up with two saddled donkeys. The servant’s name was Ziba. He was a former servant of King Saul. Ziba also brought supplies: 200 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of raisins, 100 fresh summer fruits, and a large wineskin full of wine.

2David asked Ziba, “Why did you bring these?” Ziba said, “The donkeys are for people in your family to ride. The bread and fruit are to feed your men. Wine is for those who will have a hard time traveling through the badlands below.”

3The king asked, “Where’s your master’s grandson, Mephibosheth?” Ziba said, “He’s staying behind in Jerusalem. He says that today the people of Israel will recognize his right to the throne as King Saul’s grandson. He says they’ll anoint him the new king of Israel.” [2]

4The king told Ziba, “Today I’m giving you everything that belongs to Mephibosheth. It’s yours now.” Ziba said, “Thank you, my king. You are so kind. I’m glad you think this much of me.”

Saul’s relative cusses and stones David

5David and his people came to the town of Bahurim. [3] A man from Saul’s extended family stepped up to cuss him out. The man’s name was Shimei. He was from the Gera clan in Saul’s tribe of Benjamin. 6Shimei started throwing stones at David and his entourage. But soldiers protected David left and right.

7Shimei kept swearing and yelling, “Get out! Crook! Murderer! 8The LORD is punishing you for what you did to Saul’s family. You stole their throne. Now the LORD is giving your throne and your kingdom to your son Absalom. You’re a man with blood all over his hands. You got the throne by killing people. And this coup is your punishment.”

9Joab’s brother Abishai the son of Zeruiah [4] said, “Why do we have to listen to this dog bark? I can stop his cussing by removing his head.” 10The king said, “This isn’t any of your business. If the LORD told this man to yell at me like this, who am I to ask him why he’s doing it?”

11David told Abishai and the soldiers and officials with him, “My own son wants me dead. How much more does this man from Saul’s tribe have a right to want me dead as well? Leave him alone. Let him swear his heart out. Maybe the LORD told him to tear into me. 12Who knows, maybe the LORD will see what’s going on and he’ll take pity on me and do something kind for me.”

13So, David and his people left town. Shimei followed along for a while, pelting them with words, dirt, and stones. 14David and his people were exhausted by the time they reached the Jordan River. But the king rested there and renewed his strength.

David’s spy greets Absalom

15Absalom and his Israelite followers arrived in Jerusalem. Ahithophel, the advisor, came with them. 16When David’s friend and spy Hushai came to Absalom, he said, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17Absalom said, “Why aren’t you with your friend? Why aren’t you giving him your support?”

18Hushai said, “I stand with the one chosen by God, the people, and all of Israel. I serve him. And I stand with him. 19Who else should I serve? Why shouldn’t it be the son of my friend? I served your father when he was king. Now I will serve you if you allow me.”

Absalom has sex with his father’s concubines

20Absalom asked Ahithophel, “What’s your advice now that we’ve taken Jerusalem?” 21Ahithophel said, “Go claim your power as king by having sex with your father’s concubines, the ones he left behind. Everyone will hear about it. They’ll know that after an insult like that to your father, there’s no possibility of reconciliation. They’ll know you’ve taken control of the kingdom.”

22Absalom’s people set up a tent on the palace roof. They put it there so everyone in Jerusalem below could see him take David’s concubines into the tent. They knew what he did with them there.

23In those days everyone trusted the advice of Ahithophel. Absalom did. So did David. The advisor’s words seemed to come directly from God. That’s why the people had great respect for him.

Footnotes

Intro to 2 Samuel

116:1

Mephibosheth was the grandson of King Saul. And he was the son of Jonathan, David’s best friend until Saul and Jonathan died in the Battle of Gilboa, fighting Philistines. Mephibosheth had been lame since age five, when his nurse dropped him in a rush to escape from the Philistines after the battle (2 Samuel 4:4).

216:3

Mephibosheth will later tell David that Ziba lied. David didn’t know who to believe, so he split the property between the two of them (2 Samuel 19:29).

316:5

Location of Bahurim is uncertain. Scholars suggest several locations, most of which are a few miles or kilometers east of Jerusalem and along the trail down to Jericho, in the Jordan River Valley.

416:9

Zeruiah was David’s older sister. That made David the uncle of Abishai. David was also the uncle of Joab, his military commander (1 Chronicles 2).