2 Samuel 16 summary meaning ai explained commentary

2 Samuel 16 meaning explained in AI Summary

This chapter depicts the depths of David's humiliation as he flees Jerusalem from his rebellious son, Absalom, and faces betrayal and mockery.

Key Events:

Shimei's Curses (1-14): As David and his loyal followers ascend the Mount of Olives, a man named Shimei, from Saul's family, appears. He throws stones and curses David, blaming him for the bloodshed in Saul's house. Abishai, David's nephew, wants to silence Shimei permanently, but David stops him. He accepts Shimei's curses as God's will, acknowledging his own sin and the possibility that God might show him mercy through Shimei's actions.
Ziba's Deception (1-4): Earlier, Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, meets David with provisions, claiming Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem hoping to regain the throne. David, already burdened, believes Ziba and rashly gives him all of Mephibosheth's property.
Ahithophel's Treachery (20-23): Ahithophel, David's trusted advisor, joins Absalom's rebellion. His counsel is highly valued, and his defection is a significant blow to David. He advises Absalom to publicly sleep with David's concubines, a symbolic act to solidify his claim to the throne and demonstrate the finality of the rebellion.

Themes:

Humility and Acceptance: David displays remarkable humility and acceptance of God's will amidst humiliation and suffering. He acknowledges his sin and submits to God's judgment, even when it comes through the insults of others.
Betrayal and Loyalty: The chapter contrasts the loyalty of David's followers with the betrayal of Shimei, Ziba, and especially Ahithophel. This highlights the pain and uncertainty David faces as he navigates this crisis.
The Consequences of Sin: The rebellion of Absalom and the curses of Shimei serve as reminders of the far-reaching consequences of David's sin with Bathsheba.

Overall: Chapter 16 portrays a dark moment in David's life, filled with betrayal, humiliation, and uncertainty. However, it also reveals his enduring faith in God's justice and mercy, even in the face of adversity.

2 Samuel 16 bible study ai commentary

This chapter captures the depth of David's humiliation and the outworking of God's judgment prophesied by Nathan. As David flees his throne, he encounters both deceptive opportunism and vengeful hatred, responding not with a king's power but with humble submission to God's sovereign hand. Simultaneously, his usurping son Absalom receives and acts upon morally depraved but politically shrewd counsel, cementing his rebellion in an act of ultimate public disgrace against his father. The chapter is a poignant illustration of loyalty and betrayal, divine sovereignty over human sin, and the painful consequences of transgression.

2 Samuel 16 Context

This chapter occurs in the immediate aftermath of Absalom's successful coup, forcing David to flee Jerusalem. The events unfold on the road east of the city, likely near the Mount of Olives. The cultural context is steeped in concepts of honor, shame, and covenant loyalty. Land ownership was tied to tribal inheritance (relevant to Ziba/Mephibosheth), and public actions like cursing or taking a king's harem were potent symbols of political reality and power transfer. The narrative powerfully illustrates the fulfillment of the divine judgment prophesied by Nathan in 2 Samuel 12 after David's sin with Bathsheba.

2 Samuel 16:1-4

When 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... And the king said to Ziba, “Why have you brought these?”... And 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.’” Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king.”

In-depth-analysis

Ziba's actions are a masterpiece of opportunistic deceit. His seemingly generous provisions for the fleeing king are a calculated move to win favor.
The gifts (bread, raisins, summer fruits, wine) were not just sustenance but a symbolic act of loyalty, mirroring gifts brought to David when he was a fugitive from Saul (1 Sam 25:18).
Ziba’s lie about Mephibosheth is plausible to a distressed David. Claiming Mephibosheth saw this as a chance for the house of Saul to regain the throne played on David's political fears.
Hasty Judgment: David, under extreme emotional and physical stress, makes a summary judgment without hearing the other side. He transfers all of Mephibosheth's property—a royal grant he himself made (2 Sam 9:7)—to Ziba. This decision is later revealed to be unjust and is partially reversed.
Word: The Hebrew for "all that belonged to Mephibosheth is yours" (hinneh lᵉḵā kōl ašer lîmepîḇōšeṯ) is a legal pronouncement, showing the rash but official nature of David's decree.

Bible references

2 Samuel 19:24-30: '...why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?... "He has slandered your servant to my lord the king"...' (The subsequent account where Mephibosheth defends himself, exposing Ziba's lie).
Proverbs 18:13: 'If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.' (David's action here is a textbook example of this folly).
Exodus 23:1: 'You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.' (Ziba’s direct violation of this law).
2 Samuel 9:9-10: 'Then the king called Ziba... "I have given to your master's son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house."' (The original decree from David, which he now rashly overturns).

Cross references

2 Kgs 5:20-27 (Gehazi's opportunistic lie for personal gain), Mic 7:5 (warning not to trust a neighbor or friend in times of turmoil), Prov 19:5 (a false witness will not go unpunished).

2 Samuel 16:5-8

When 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. And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David... And Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! The 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!”

In-depth-analysis

Shimei's Identity: He is from the clan of Saul (mišpaḥaṯ bêt-šā'ûl). His actions are not just personal but represent the lingering bitterness and perceived injustice felt by the deposed house of Saul. Bahurim was a town in the territory of Benjamin, Saul's tribe.
The Curse: Cursing (qālal) was a powerful act believed to invoke supernatural harm. Throwing stones and dust (v. 13) were public acts of utter contempt and rejection.
The Accusation: Shimei calls David a "man of blood" ('îš haddāmîm). This is a false charge regarding the house of Saul. David had shown mercy to Mephibosheth and executed the killers of Ish-bosheth (2 Sam 4:9-12). However, the accusation would resonate publicly due to the bloody end of some of Saul's house (e.g., at the hands of the Philistines) and David's own recent bloodguilt in the matter of Uriah.
Shimei misinterprets God's providence, seeing Absalom's coup as direct divine justice for Saul's demise, when it was actually judgment for David's sin with Bathsheba.

Bible references

1 Kings 2:8-9, 44-46: 'And there is also with you Shimei... who cursed me with a grievous curse... but his blood shall rest on his own head.' (David remembers the curse on his deathbed and charges Solomon to bring Shimei to justice).
2 Samuel 12:10: 'Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah...' (The real reason for the calamity, as prophesied by Nathan).
Lamentations 3:38: 'Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?' (Shimei sees the calamity, but misattributes the specific cause).

Cross references

2 Sam 1:16 (David’s declaration on bloodguilt), Ps 109:17 (He loved to curse; let a curse come upon him!), Num 22:6 (the power of a curse in ancient belief).

2 Samuel 16:9-14

Then 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.” But 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?’ ” And 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. It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.”... So David and his men went on the way... And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan, and there he refreshed himself.

In-depth-analysis

Abishai's Reaction: Abishai, a "son of Zeruiah" (a term David often used when they were zealous for violence), responds with typical fierce loyalty, calling Shimei a "dead dog" – an term of ultimate worthlessness. His solution is immediate execution.
David's Humility: David's response is the spiritual climax of the chapter. He exhibits profound submission. He stops his men from taking revenge.
Theological Perspective: David sees God's sovereign hand behind the human action. He doesn't necessarily believe God literally commanded Shimei, but that God was allowing this humiliation as part of his chastisement. This perspective allows him to endure it without retaliation.
Hope in Suffering: David's hope is that by humbly accepting the unjust curse, "the LORD will look on my affliction and... repay me with good." He sees his current suffering as a path to future restoration by God.
Weariness: The passage ends emphasizing the physical and emotional exhaustion of the king and his followers, making David's spiritual restraint all the more remarkable.

Bible references

1 Peter 2:23: '[He] When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.' (David's action is a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's perfect response to his accusers).
Romans 12:19: 'Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”' (David lives out this principle).
Genesis 50:20: 'As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good...' (David applies a similar principle, seeing a higher divine purpose in Shimei's evil intent).

Cross references

Job 1:21 (submission to God’s hand in loss), Ps 3 (a Psalm often attributed to this flight), Lk 23:34 (Christ's forgiveness on the cross), Mt 5:44 (love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you).

2 Samuel 16:15-19

Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. And when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” And Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?” And 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. And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you.”

In-depth-analysis

The scene shifts back to Jerusalem, now under Absalom's control. The arrival of Ahithophel is noted, emphasizing his importance to the new regime.
Hushai's Role: He begins his mission as a double agent, a plan concocted with David in 2 Sam 15:32-37.
Ambiguous Language: Hushai's greeting, "Long live the king!" is intentionally ambiguous. He is acclaiming "the king," which Absalom assumes means him, but Hushai's inner loyalty is to David.
Clever Rhetoric: Hushai's explanation for his "betrayal" of David is brilliant. He frames it as loyalty not to a person, but to the one chosen by "the LORD and this people." He turns Absalom’s own justification for the coup into a reason for his allegiance, disarming Absalom's suspicion.

Bible references

2 Samuel 15:34: 'But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king...’ then you will defeat for me the counsel of Ahithophel.' (Hushai is acting on David's direct instructions).
2 Samuel 17:14: 'And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel...' (The successful outcome of Hushai's mission).

Cross references

Prov 12:20 (deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil), Prov 26:24-25 (one who hates disguises it with his lips).

2 Samuel 16:20-23

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?” 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 have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

In-depth-analysis

Ahithophel’s Counsel: His advice is swift, public, and politically ruthless. To "go in to" (bô' 'el) the king's concubines was an ancient and potent act of usurpation, claiming not only the throne but the king's entire household and status.
Strategic Purpose: The act was designed to make the breach with David irreparable. By making himself a "stench" (hib'ašta) to his father, Absalom showed his followers that there was no turning back. This would solidify their commitment to his cause, as their only hope for survival was Absalom's victory.
The Roof: The act is done on the roof, the most public space of a house. This is deeply ironic, as it was from his own roof that David first saw Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:2), initiating the sin for which this is the judgment.
Ahithophel's Authority: The narrator states his counsel was regarded as an oracle from God. This highlights the immense influence he wielded and makes God's eventual thwarting of his "infallible" advice all the more miraculous.

Bible references

2 Samuel 12:11-12: '...‘I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’' (The stunningly literal fulfillment of Nathan's prophecy).
2 Samuel 20:3: 'And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten concubines... and put them in a house under guard... So they were shut up until the day of their death...' (The tragic end for these women, casualties of the political power plays).
1 Corinthians 1:19: 'For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”' (God will later turn Ahithophel's great wisdom into foolishness).

Cross references

Gen 35:22 (Reuben's sin with his father's concubine), 1 Kgs 2:22 (Adonijah's request for Abishag is interpreted as a claim to the throne).

2 Samuel chapter 16 analysis

Fulfillment of Prophecy: This chapter is the centerpiece of Nathan's prophetic judgment from 2 Samuel 12 unfolding in David's life. The sword in his house (Absalom's coup) and his wives being taken publicly are enacted with devastating precision.
David as a Type of Christ: The parallels between David's suffering here and Christ's passion are extensive and profound:
- Rejected by his own people and son (Jn 1:11).
- Betrayed by a trusted counselor, Ahithophel (Judas).
- Ascended the Mount of Olives weeping (Lk 22:39-41).
- Was cursed and reviled without retaliating (1 Pet 2:23).
- Showed grace and submitted to the ordeal as being within God's sovereign will (Lk 22:42).
Human Depravity and Divine Sovereignty: The chapter is a case study in how God uses the sinful and selfish motives of humans to accomplish His own sovereign purposes. Ziba's greed, Shimei's bitterness, and Ahithophel's political ruthlessness all serve as instruments of God's chastisement of David. Their actions are evil, yet God's higher plan is fulfilled through them.

2 Samuel 16 summary

As a humiliated David flees Jerusalem, he is deceived by Ziba and awarded his master’s property, then is viciously cursed by Shimei, a relative of Saul. David endures both encounters with remarkable humility, viewing them as permitted by God. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Absalom secures his claim to the throne by following Ahithophel’s depraved counsel to publicly sleep with David’s concubines on a rooftop, thereby fulfilling Nathan's prophecy against David.

2 Samuel 15 AI 2 Samuel 17 AI

2 Samuel 16 AI Image Audio and Video

2 Samuel chapter 16 kjv

¹ And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
² And 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.
³ And 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.
⁴ Then 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.
⁵ And 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.
⁶ And 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.
⁷ And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
⁸ The 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.
⁹ Then 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.
¹⁰ And 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?
¹¹ And 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.
¹² It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
¹³ And 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.
¹⁴ And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
¹⁵ And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
¹⁶ And 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.
¹⁷ And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
¹⁸ And 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.
¹⁹ And 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.
²⁰ Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
²¹ And 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.
²² So 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.
²³ And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counseled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

2 Samuel chapter 16 nkjv

¹ When David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
² And the king said to Ziba, "What do you mean to do with these?" So Ziba said, "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 are faint in the wilderness to drink."
³ Then the king said, "And where is your master's son?" And Ziba said to the king, "Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.' "
⁴ So the king said to Ziba, "Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours." And Ziba said, "I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!"
⁵ Now 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.
⁶ And 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.
⁷ Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: "Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue!
⁸ The 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!"
⁹ Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!"
¹⁰ But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David.' Who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?' "
¹¹ And 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.
¹² It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day."
¹³ And 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.
¹⁴ Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.
¹⁵ Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him.
¹⁶ And 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!"
¹⁷ So Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"
¹⁸ And 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.
¹⁹ Furthermore, 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."
²⁰ Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give advice as to what we should do."
²¹ And 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."
²² So 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.
²³ Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

2 Samuel chapter 16 niv

¹ When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.
² The king asked Ziba, "Why have you brought these?" Ziba answered, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness."
³ The king then asked, "Where is your master's grandson?" Ziba said to him, "He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, 'Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather's kingdom.'?"
⁴ Then the king said to Ziba, "All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." "I humbly bow," Ziba said. "May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king."
⁵ As 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.
⁶ He 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.
⁷ As he cursed, Shimei said, "Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel!
⁸ The 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!"
⁹ Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head."
¹⁰ But the king said, "What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, 'Curse David,' who can ask, 'Why do you do this?'?"
¹¹ David 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.
¹² It may be that the LORD will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today."
¹³ So 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.
¹⁴ The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
¹⁵ Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.
¹⁶ Then Hushai the Arkite, David's confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
¹⁷ Absalom said to Hushai, "So this is the love you show your friend? If he's your friend, why didn't you go with him?"
¹⁸ Hushai 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.
¹⁹ Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you."
²⁰ Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your advice. What should we do?"
²¹ Ahithophel 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."
²² So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
²³ Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's advice.

2 Samuel chapter 16 esv

¹ When 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.
² And 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."
³ And 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.'"
⁴ Then 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."
⁵ When 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.
⁶ And 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.
⁷ And Shimei said as he cursed, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man!
⁸ The 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."
⁹ Then 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."
¹⁰ But 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?'"
¹¹ And 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.
¹² It 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."
¹³ So 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.
¹⁴ And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.
¹⁵ Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
¹⁶ And when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
¹⁷ And Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"
¹⁸ And 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.
¹⁹ And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you."
²⁰ Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give your counsel. What shall we do?"
²¹ 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 have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened."
²² So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
²³ Now 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.

2 Samuel chapter 16 nlt

¹ When David had gone a little beyond the summit of the Mount of Olives, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, was waiting there for him. He had two donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 bunches of summer fruit, and a wineskin full of wine.
² "What are these for?" the king asked Ziba. Ziba replied, "The donkeys are for the king's people to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for those who become exhausted in the wilderness."
³ "And where is Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson?" the king asked him. "He stayed in Jerusalem," Ziba replied. "He said, 'Today I will get back the kingdom of my grandfather Saul.'"
⁴ "In that case," the king told Ziba, "I give you everything Mephibosheth owns." "I bow before you," Ziba replied. "May I always be pleasing to you, my lord the king."
⁵ As 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.
⁶ He threw stones at the king and the king's officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him.
⁷ "Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!" he shouted at David.
⁸ "The 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!"
⁹ "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?" Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. "Let me go over and cut off his head!"
¹⁰ "No!" the king said. "Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the LORD has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?"
¹¹ Then 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.
¹² And perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today."
¹³ So 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.
¹⁴ The king and all who were with him grew weary along the way, so they rested when they reached the Jordan River.
¹⁵ Meanwhile, Absalom and all the army of Israel arrived at Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel.
¹⁶ When David's friend Hushai the Arkite arrived, he went immediately to see Absalom. "Long live the king!" he exclaimed. "Long live the king!"
¹⁷ "Is this the way you treat your friend David?" Absalom asked him. "Why aren't you with him?"
¹⁸ "I'm here because I belong to the man who is chosen by the LORD and by all the men of Israel," Hushai replied.
¹⁹ "And anyway, why shouldn't I serve you? Just as I was your father's adviser, now I will be your adviser!"
²⁰ Then Absalom turned to Ahithophel and asked him, "What should I do next?"
²¹ Ahithophel 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."
²² So 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.
²³ Absalom followed Ahithophel's advice, just as David had done. For every word Ahithophel spoke seemed as wise as though it had come directly from the mouth of God.