2 Samuel 16

1David had gone just a short way past the summit when Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, came to meet him with a pair of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a wineskin.

2The king said to Ziba, "What are these for?" Ziba said, "The donkeys are for the king's house to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for the weary in the wilderness to drink."

3The king said, "Where is your master's son?" Ziba said to the king, "See, he remains in Jerusalem, because he said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore my father's kingdom to me.'"

4The king said to Ziba, "See, all that Mephibosheth has is yours." Ziba said, "I have prostrated myself. May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king."

5When King David came to Bahurim, behold, from there came out a man from the family of Saul's house, named Shimei son of Gera, cursing as he came out.

6He threw stones at David and all King David's servants, while all the people and all the mighty men were on his right and on his left.

7Thus Shimei said as he cursed, "Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed and worthless man!"

8Yahweh has brought all the blood of Saul's house back upon you, in whose place you have reigned. Yahweh has put the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. Look, you are caught in your own evil, because you are a man of blood.

9Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why does this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me cross over now and remove his head."

10The king said, "What concern is this of mine and yours, sons of Zeruiah? He curses this way because Yahweh has told him, 'Curse David'—who then will say, 'Why have you done so?'"

11David said to Abishai and all his servants, "Look, my son who came from my body seeks my life—how much more this Benjaminite now? Leave him alone, and let him curse, for Yahweh has told him to."

12Perhaps Yahweh will look upon my affliction before me, and Yahweh will repay me good instead of his curse today.

13David and his men went on their way, while Shimei went along on the flank of the hill opposite him, cursing as he went, pelting him with stones from across the way, and flinging dust.

14The king and all the people with him arrived weary and refreshed themselves there.

15Absalom and all the people, every man of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

16When Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to him, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"

17Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your kindness toward your friend? Why didn't you go with your friend?"

18Hushai said to Absalom, "No—for whomever Yahweh, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, I will be his, and with him I will remain."

19And again, whom should I serve? Should I not serve before his son? As I served before your father, so will I be before you.

20Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give counsel—what shall we do?"

21Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he left to guard the house, and all Israel will hear that you have become loathsome to your father; then the hands of all who are with you will be strong."

22They spread a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines before the eyes of all Israel.

23Ahithophel's counsel, which he gave in those days, was like a man consulting God about any matter; so was all Ahithophel's counsel, both to David and to Absalom.