The big picture
On the road, David, Israel's fleeing king, meets Ziba, a royal servant. Ziba brings food but also accuses his master Mephibosheth, grandson of the former king Saul. David gives him the absent man's land. Shimei, one of Saul's relatives, then curses David. The king stops Abishai, his commander, from killing him. Meanwhile Absalom, David's rebel son, enters Jerusalem, the royal city. He takes his father's lesser wives in public to show that the breach with David cannot be healed.
In this chapter
- Ziba Brings Supplies and an Accusation 2 Samuel 16:1-4
Ziba meets David with donkeys, bread, fruit and wine.
- Shimei Curses the Passing King 2 Samuel 16:5-8
Shimei comes out from Bahurim cursing David.
- David Refuses an Immediate Revenge 2 Samuel 16:9-14
Abishai asks permission to cut off Shimei's head.
- Hushai Offers Absalom His Service 2 Samuel 16:15-19
Absalom enters Jerusalem with his supporters and Ahithophel.
- The Palace Women Become a Public Claim 2 Samuel 16:20-23
Ahithophel advises Absalom to sleep with the lesser wives David left behind.
Central truth
David endures accusations while fleeing, and Absalom uses public sexual disgrace to make the break with his father's rule unmistakable.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Samuel · King James Version · 232 Samuel 16:1-4
Ziba Brings Supplies and an Accusation
Ziba meets David with donkeys, bread, fruit and wine. He says the food is for the men and the animals for the royal household. David asks where Mephibosheth is. Ziba claims his master stayed in Jerusalem hoping to regain his grandfather's kingdom. David immediately gives Ziba all Mephibosheth's property. Only Ziba's account has been heard at this point. A useful gift and an accusation arrive together, and the absent man's estate is transferred before he can give his own answer.
In everyday life
A catering manager brings food to a flooded concert tent and blames a colleague for abandoning the crew. The grateful conductor gives her that colleague's contract before hearing his answer. Hot meals make her account welcome in the cold. David transfers a royal descendant's land while fleeing his son's revolt, on one servant's word.
Notice
2 Samuel 16:4 David grants the property after hearing Ziba alone. The speed of that decision matters because Mephibosheth is absent and has not answered the charge.
2 Samuel 16:1-4
King James Version1And 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.
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.
2 Samuel 16:5-8
Shimei Curses the Passing King
Shimei comes out from Bahurim cursing David. He belongs to Saul's family and throws stones at the king and his servants. He calls David a bloody man and says God is repaying him for bloodshed against Saul's house. He treats Absalom's revolt as proof of that charge. The king's armed men surround him, yet the abuse continues. These are Shimei's accusations against the fallen ruler. His confident explanation of the crisis is not presented as a fresh message sent by God.
In everyday life
A spectator throws dirt at a disgraced trainer leaving the racecourse. He calls every setback proof that his old accusations were true. Stewards keep the path clear while the trainer walks away. The crowd hears certainty without seeing evidence for each charge. Shimei interprets a king's downfall as God's repayment for bloodshed.
Notice
2 Samuel 16:8 Shimei names Absalom's rise as God's punishment of David. The speech records his interpretation of events, which must be distinguished from a divine announcement.
2 Samuel 16:5-8
King James Version5And 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.
2 Samuel 16:9-14
David Refuses an Immediate Revenge
Abishai asks permission to cut off Shimei's head. David refuses. He says God has allowed the curse and points out that his own son seeks his life. Abuse from another man is less surprising in that light. He hopes God will see his suffering and repay him with good. Shimei keeps cursing, throwing stones and raising dust as they move. David and the people arrive weary and rest. The king restrains his defenders without pretending that the insults have stopped hurting.
In everyday life
The retired judge stops a companion from grabbing a heckler on the ferry ramp. She keeps walking toward the boat and refuses to make the crossing a fight. The insults still hurt, but she leaves them unanswered. David goes further by accepting that God has permitted Shimei's curse during the royal flight.
Notice
2 Samuel 16:12 David hopes God will answer his affliction with good. He leaves that outcome open while refusing Abishai's request to kill the man cursing him.
2 Samuel 16:9-14
King James Version9Then 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.
2 Samuel 16:15-19
Hushai Offers Absalom His Service
Absalom enters Jerusalem with his supporters and Ahithophel. Hushai greets him as king, but Absalom questions why he has left David, his friend. Hushai says he will serve the one chosen by God and the people. He also argues that serving the son follows service to the father. The words give Absalom reasons to accept him. From David's earlier plan, the reader knows Hushai has returned to oppose Ahithophel's advice. His outward offer conceals a different loyalty.
In everyday life
A veteran negotiator joins the new owner's tour of a foundry while quietly helping the displaced partners. She points to years of service among the furnaces as reason to trust her. The owner hears loyalty where she intends resistance. Hushai's hidden service supports David against a son who has seized the royal city.
Notice
2 Samuel 16:17 Absalom questions Hushai's kindness to his former friend. The challenge shows that his change of sides requires an explanation before he can gain trust.
2 Samuel 16:15-19
King James Version15And 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.
2 Samuel 16:20-23
The Palace Women Become a Public Claim
Ahithophel advises Absalom to sleep with the lesser wives David left behind. It will make the breach with his father plain and strengthen his supporters. A tent is put on the roof, and Absalom acts in public. The women have no reported voice in this use of their bodies for power. Ahithophel's advice carries weight like an answer sought from God. That reputation helps the plan succeed, but the advice serves rebellion and the public humiliation of David's household.
In everyday life
The human-rights observer records how rulers use women under their control to send a public message. She keeps the women's vulnerability in view instead of describing only a contest between men. The official display conceals no harm from her report. Absalom takes his father's lesser wives to make their royal break known to Israel.
Notice
2 Samuel 16:21 Ahithophel's reason concerns the confidence of Absalom's supporters. The women's treatment is made a political act meant to prevent doubt about the break with David.
2 Samuel 16:20-23
King James Version20Then 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.
23And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Samuel 16:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
2 Samuel 16:11 forms a natural hinge: “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…”
The final note
2 Samuel 16:23 leaves the reader with “And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words king, Absalom, LORD, David, Ziba, Ahithophel help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
