2 Samuel 16 - Printer Friendly

What does 2 Samuel 16 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

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).

Second Samuel 16:1–4 describes how David runs from his son and meets Saul's family. Absalom is taking Jerusalem. David and those loyal to him are fleeing. On the Mount of Olives, Ziba, Saul's grandson's servant, appears with provisions. He claims Mephibosheth has stayed in Jerusalem in hopes he can reclaim his family's kingdom, an assertion Mephibosheth later denies (2 Samuel 19:24–30). Shortly after, David meets Shimei, another relative of Saul's, who curses him and throws rocks (2 Samuel 16:5–8). Whether Ziba is lying or not, it's clear Saul's family is eager to take advantage of David's plight.

Second Samuel 16:5–8 shows David meeting another member of Saul's family. He and his servants are running for their lives, trying to get to the Jordan River before Absalom can attack. Ziba, Jonathan's son's servant, has already given them food and donkeys (2 Samuel 16:1– 4). Now, Saul's relative Shimei has come to offer curses and stones. He blames David for Saul and his sons' deaths. David's general Abishai offers to execute Shimei, but David stops him. For all David knows, God has told Shimei to do this. If that's the case, David will bear it patiently (2 Samuel 16:9–14).

Second Samuel 16:9–14 records David continuing to show grace to Saul's house. While fleeing Absalom, David comes across Saul's relative Shimei. Shimei blames David for Saul and his sons' deaths. He curses David as a "man of blood" and throws rocks at him (2 Samuel 16:5–8). Abishai offers to kill Shimei, but David stops him. David knows Absalom and Shimei aren't punishment for betraying Saul; they're part of God's curse for David's betrayal of Uriah (2 Samuel 12:10–12). David lets Shimei live, but when Shimei breaks the stipulations, Solomon has him executed (1 Kings 2:36–46).

Second Samuel 16:15–19 describes Absalom entering Jerusalem and gaining an advisor. He's been marching from Hebron with a growing number of supporters. David and his people have already fled. When Absalom arrives, David's friend Hushai offers to join Absalom's council. Absalom is wary, but Hushai promises loyalty. Absalom doesn't realize that Hushai is David's spy. With the help of the priests, their sons, and two brave women, Hushai will counter Ahithophel's advice and foil Absalom's attack on David's people (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

Second Samuel 16:20–23 explains how Absalom fulfills one of God's curses on David. Because David secretly took Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, God promised that another would take David's wives in public (2 Samuel 12:11). When David fled Jerusalem, he took his servants but left ten concubines to care for the house (2 Samuel 15:16). On Ahithophel's advice, Absalom has sex with the concubines in a tent on David's roof, an act of dominance over his father. After Absalom is killed and David returns, David will put the women in a house under protective guard for the rest of their lives (2 Samuel 20:3).

Chapter Summary:

David flees and Absalom takes Jerusalem. Absalom arrives with his supporters while David and his servants race to the Jordan River (2 Samuel 15). Mephibosheth's servant Ziba brings David donkeys, provisions, and news that Mephibosheth has also betrayed David. Shimei, Saul's relative, throws stones and curses at David and his people. David's former counselor Ahithophel convinces Absalom to have sex with David's concubines. But David's friend Hushai has infiltrated Absalom's council and will prove to be an exceptionally good spy (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

Chapter Context:

In 2 Samuel 16, leadership in Jerusalem changes hands. Because of David's sin (2 Samuel 11), God predicts death and controversy in David's life. That starts with assault and murder within David's own family (2 Samuel 12—14). The murderer, David's son Absalom, took four years to gain the people's trust and declare himself king (2 Samuel 15:1–11). He won over David's counselor, but David has his servants, warriors, two priests, and an old friend: the last three stay as spies (2 Samuel 15:13–37). As Absalom takes the throne, David meets two Benjamites: one helpful and one horrible. Soon, Absalom will plan an attack, but the priests and David's friend send word and save David's people (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.

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