2 Samuel chapter 16
English Standard Version
1When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2And the king said to Ziba, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king 's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink." 3And the king said, "And where is your master 's son?" Ziba said to the king, "Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.’" 4Then the king said to Ziba, "Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." And Ziba said, "I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king."
5When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually. 6And he threw 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. 7And Shimei said as he cursed, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! 8The Lord has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood."
9Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head." 10But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’" 11And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today." 13So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust. 14And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.
15Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16And when Hushai the Archite, David 's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" 17And Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?" 18And Hushai said to Absalom, "No, for whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you."
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give your counsel. What shall we do?" 21Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father 's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened." 22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father 's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.
New International Version
5As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7As he cursed, Shimei said, "Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! 8The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!"
11David then said to Abishai and all his officials, "My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today."
13So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
15Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. 16Then Hushai the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
18Hushai said to Absalom, "No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. 19Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you."
21Ahithophel answered, "Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute." 22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
New American Standard Bible
1Now when David had gone on a little beyond the summit, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a team of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine. 2And the king said to Ziba, 'Why do you have these?' And Ziba said, 'The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine, for whoever is weary in the wilderness to drink.' 3Then the king said, 'And where is your master’s son?' And Ziba said to the king, 'Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’?' 4So the king said to Ziba, 'Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.' And Ziba said, 'I prostrate myself; may I find favor in your sight, my lord, the king!'
5When King David came to Bahurim, behold, a man was coming out from there from the family of the house of Saul, and his name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he was coming out, cursing as he came. 6He also threw stones at David and all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the warriors were on his right and on his left. 7This is what Shimei said when he cursed: 'Go away, go away, you man of bloodshed and worthless man! 8The Lord has brought back upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have become king; and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. And behold, you are caught in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!'
9Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, 'Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Now let me go over and cut off his head.' 10But the king said, 'What business of mine is yours, you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the Lord has told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who should say, ‘Why have you done so?’?' 11Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, 'Behold, my son who came out of my own body seeks my life; how much more now this Benjaminite? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him. 12Perhaps the Lord will look on my misery and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.' 13So David and his men went on the road; and Shimei kept going on the hillside close beside him, and as he went he cursed and threw stones and dirt at him. 14And the king and all the people who were with him arrived exhausted, and he refreshed himself there.
15Then Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16Now it came about, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, 'Long live the king! Long live the king!' 17But Absalom said to Hushai, 'Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?' 18So Hushai said to Absalom, 'No! For whomever the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I shall be, and with him I shall remain. 19Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? Just as I have served in your father’s presence, so I shall be in your presence.'
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, 'Give your advice. What should we do?' 21Ahithophel said to Absalom, 'Have relations with your father’s concubines, whom he has left behind to take care of the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself repulsive to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.' 22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom had relations with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was taken as though one inquired of the word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom.
Christian Standard Bible
5When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he was yelling curses as he approached. 6He threw stones at David and at all the royal servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left. 7Shimei said as he cursed: "Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man! 8The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed!"
10The king replied, "Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David!’ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?’" 11Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, "Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, intends to take my life —how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to. 12Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today." 13So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, threw stones at him, and kicked up dust. 14Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so they rested there.
15Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was also with him. 16When David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
17"Is this your loyalty to your friend?" Absalom asked Hushai. "Why didn’t you go with your friend?"
18"Not at all," Hushai answered Absalom. "I am on the side of the one that the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him. 19Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, I will also serve in yours."
21Ahithophel replied to Absalom, "Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged." 22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
New Living Translation
5As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family. 6He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. 7Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!' he shouted at David. 8The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!'
11Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, 'My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it. 12And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.' 13So David and his men continued down the road, and Shimei kept pace with them on a nearby hillside, cursing and throwing stones and dirt at David.
15Meanwhile, Absalom and all the army of Israel arrived at Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel. 16When David’s friend Hushai the Arkite arrived, he went immediately to see Absalom. 'Long live the king!' he exclaimed. 'Long live the king!'
18I’m here because I belong to the man who is chosen by the Lord and by all the men of Israel,' Hushai replied. 19And anyway, why shouldn’t I serve you? Just as I was your father’s adviser, now I will be your adviser!'
21Ahithophel told him, 'Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, for he has left them here to look after the palace. Then all Israel will know that you have insulted your father beyond hope of reconciliation, and they will throw their support to you.' 22So they set up a tent on the palace roof where everyone could see it, and Absalom went in and had sex with his father’s concubines.
King James Version
2And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be 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 be faint in the wilderness may drink. 3And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. 4Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. 5And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. 6And 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. 7And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: 8The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
9Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. 10And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? 11And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. 12It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.
13And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. 14And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there. 15And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
17And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? 18And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the Lord, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. 19And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
20Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. 21And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. 22So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
New King James Version
5Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. 6And he threw 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. 7Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! 8The Lord has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!”
11And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him. 12It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” 13And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust. 14Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.
15Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him. 16And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, “ Long live the king! Long live the king!”
18And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”
21And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.” 22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
What does 2 Samuel chapter 16 mean?
David and all those loyal to him are fleeing from Jerusalem. David's son Absalom draws nearer. After four years of secretly gathering support, Absalom has launched his coup and is marching to Israel's capital city to take the throne for himself (2 Samuel 15).On his way out of the area, David is met by two men with ties to Israel's former king, Saul. The first is Ziba, the servant of Saul's crippled grandson: Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth. David had granted Mephibosheth all of Saul's estate and gave him a permanent place at the king's table. David also ordered Saul's servant Ziba to care for Mephibosheth's property (2 Samuel 9). Ziba meets David just past the summit of the Mount of Olives with a large load of provisions for the exiles. David asks Ziba where Mephibosheth is. Ziba, perhaps lying, says Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem, hoping the people would return the throne to his family. David hastily gives Ziba Mephibosheth's estate (2 Samuel 16:1–4).
Further on, David and his men approach the town of Bahurim, just north of the Mount of Olives. A man named Shimei, a Benjamite from Saul's extended family, begins cursing David and throwing rocks. He does this despite David being surrounded by his fiercest group of warriors. Shimei calls David a murderer and a worthless man and tells the king that the Lord is giving the kingdom into Absalom's hands because David is a "man of blood" (2 Samuel 16:5–8).
Abishai, David's nephew and general, asks permission to kill Shimei for disrespecting the king. David says no. Absalom's rebellion is God's curse for David's betrayal of Uriah (2 Samuel 12:10–11). If Shimei is part of that curse, David will accept God's chastisement. Perhaps if David bears the mistreatment well, God will relent. David commands his men to leave Shimei alone. Shimei continues to yell and throw things while David and his men move on, eventually arriving at the Jordan River about 20 miles away (2 Samuel 16:9–14).
Meanwhile, David's son Absalom arrives to take the throne of Israel in the company of a huge throng of supporters from throughout Israel. Ahithophel, David's former counselor, is with him. As they settle in, David's friend Hushai greets them. Absalom is wary, but Hushai says he serves the crown, not the man, and Absalom lets him stay (2 Samuel 16:15–19). Absalom doesn't know David told Hushai to spy on Absalom and send intelligence through the priests Abiathar and Zadok (2 Samuel 5:32–37).
Ahithophel knows Absalom needs to make an irreparable break from David and prove his authority to his people. The quickest way to do this is to have sex with the ten concubines David left behind to care for his house (2 Samuel 15:16). Absalom follows through, having sex with each one in a tent on David's roof (2 Samuel 16:20–23). God allowed this crime because David took Uriah's wife, Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:11–12).
This is the last time Absalom follows Ahithophel's advice. Ahithophel asks Absalom for twelve thousand warriors to chase down David and destroy him before the people can reach safety. This is exactly the right tactical move: strike a weak enemy before he can mount a defense. Hushai counters, noting David's warrior skills, and suggesting they wait for reinforcements. While they wait, Hushai gets word to David to cross the Jordan. Ahithophel realizes he's been countered and that the rebellion probably won't succeed. So, he commits suicide (2 Samuel 17:1–23).
