2 Samuel 16

Fake Friends, Curses, and Strategic Moves

1 When David got past the top of the hill, Ziba (Saul’s old servant) came up with a couple donkeys packed with food, bread, raisins, summer fruit, and wine.

2 The king asked, “What is all this for?” Ziba said, “The donkeys are for your people to ride, the bread and fruit for them to eat, and the wine for whoever gets tired in the desert.”

3 The king asked, “Where is your master’s son (Mephibosheth)?” Ziba said, “He stayed in Jerusalem. He thinks now’s his chance to get the kingdom back.”

4 The king said, “Then everything that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” Ziba said, “Thank you, my king! You just blessed me heavy.”

Shimei Starts Cursing

5 As David reached Bahurim, a man named Shimei (from Saul’s family) came out, cussing and throwing rocks at David and his crew.

6 He did not care who was there, David’s whole squad was getting’ hit with dirt and disrespect.

7 Shimei yelled, “Get outta here, you killer! You thief!”

8 “The Lord’s paying you back for all the blood you spilled in Saul’s house! Now your son’s taking your throne, God’s judgment is on you!”

9 Abishai said, “You want me to take his head off, my king, How is he going to talk to you like that?”

10 But David said, “Let him talk. If God told him to curse, who am I to stop him?”

11 “My own son tryna kill me. Why be mad at this man, Maybe the Lord will see my pain and bless me for taking this hit.”

12 So David and his crew kept walking, while Shimei followed on the hillside, throwing dirt, cussing, and throwing rocks the whole way.

13 The king and his people were worn out when they got to their stop. They rested.

Absalom Rolls Into Jerusalem

14 Meanwhile, Absalom and his crew showed up in Jerusalem. Ahithophel was with him.

15 Hushai the Arkite (David’s spy) came to Absalom and said, “Long live the king! I am with you!”

16 Absalom said, “Hold up, is this how you treat your boy David, are you not supposed to ride with him?”

17 Hushai said, “I am riding with whoever the Lord, the people, and all of Israel chose. That is you now.”

18 “I will serve you just like I served your father, you got my loyalty.”

Ahithophel’s Shady Advice

19 Absalom turned to Ahithophel: “What is the move?”

20 Ahithophel said, “Sleep with your dad’s concubines, the ones he left to watch the palace. When the people hear you did that, they will know you all in, and your crew will ride harder.”

21 So they set up a tent on the palace roof, and Absalom slept with his father’s concubines, out in the open for all Israel to see.

22 At that time, Ahithophel’s advice was like God himself had spoken. That is how much weight his words had, for both David and Absalom.