2 Samuel 16

David and Ziba

1 When a David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was b 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 c those who are faint in the wilderness to drink." 3 Then the king said, "And where is your d master's son?" e 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!"

Shimei Curses David

5 Now when King David came to f Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was g 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 1 bloodthirsty man, h you 2 rogue! 8 "The LORD has i brought upon you all j 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 3 bloodthirsty man!"

9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this k dead dog l curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!" 10 But the king said, m "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because n the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David.' o Who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?' " 11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See how p my son who q 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 4 my affliction, and that the LORD will r repay me with s 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 5 kicked up dust. 14 Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.

Absalom Enters Jerusalem

15 Meanwhile t 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, u David's friend, came to Absalom, that v 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? w 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, x 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 y Ahithophel, "Give advice as to what we should do." 21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's z concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you a are abhorred by your father. Then b 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 c 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 d both with David and with Absalom.

  1. Cross References
    2 Samuel 16:15
    Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him.
  2. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:30
    So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up.
    2 Samuel 15:32
    Now it happened when David had come to the top of the mountain, where he worshiped God - there was Hushai the Archite coming to meet him with his robe torn and dust on his head.
  3. Cross References
    2 Samuel 9:2
    And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, " Are you Ziba?" He said, "At your service!
    2 Samuel 19:17
    There were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over the Jordan before the king.
    2 Samuel 19:29
    So the king said to him, "Why do you speak anymore of your matters? I have said, 'You and Ziba divide the land.'
  4. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:23
    And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness.
    2 Samuel 17:29
    Honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, "The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.
  5. Cross References
    2 Samuel 9:9
    And the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given to your master's son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house.
    2 Samuel 9:10
    You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master's son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's son shall eat bread at my table always." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
  6. Cross References
    2 Samuel 19:27
    And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king, but my lord the king is like the angel of God. Therefore do what is good in your eyes.
  7. Cross References
    2 Samuel 3:16
    Then her husband went along with her to Bahurim, weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, "Go, return!" And he returned.
  8. Cross References
    2 Samuel 19:21
    But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, "Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed?
    1 Kings 2:8
    "And see, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, who cursed me with a malicious curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim. But he came down to meet me at the Jordan, and I swore to him by the LORD, saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.'
    1 Kings 2:9
    "Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man and know what you ought to do to him; but bring his gray hair down to the grave with blood."
    1 Kings 2:44 - 46
    The king said moreover to Shimei, "You know, as your heart acknowledges, all the wickedness that you did to my father David; therefore the LORD will return your wickedness on your own head.
  9. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 13:13
    Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods" ' - which you have not known -
  10. Cross References
    Judges 9:24
    That the crime done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might be settled and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who aided him in the killing of his brothers.
    Judges 9:56
    Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers.
    Judges 9:57
    And all the evil of the men of Shechem God returned on their own heads, and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
    1 Kings 2:32
    So the LORD will return his blood on his head, because he struck down two men more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword - Abner the son of Ner, the commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, the commander of the army of Judah - though my father David did not know it.
    1 Kings 2:33
    "Their blood shall therefore return upon the head of Joab and upon the head of his descendants forever. But upon David and his descendants, upon his house and his throne, there shall be peace forever from the LORD."
  11. Cross References
    2 Samuel 1:16
    So David said to him, "Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's anointed.'
    2 Samuel 3:28
    Afterward, when David heard it, he said, "My kingdom and I are guiltless before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner.
    2 Samuel 3:29
    "Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father's house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread."
    2 Samuel 4:11
    "How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous person in his own house on his bed? Therefore, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and remove you from the earth?"
    2 Samuel 4:12
    So David commanded his young men, and they executed them, cut off their hands and feet, and hanged them by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner in Hebron.
  12. Cross References
    1 Samuel 24:14
    After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
    2 Samuel 9:8
    Then he bowed himself, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?
  13. Cross References
    Exodus 22:28
    You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
  14. Cross References
    2 Samuel 3:39
    "And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too harsh for me. The LORD shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness."
    2 Samuel 19:22
    And David said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?
    1 Peter 2:23
    Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.
  15. Cross References
    2 Kings 18:25
    "Have I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, 'Go up against this land, and destroy it.'"
    Lamentations 3:38
    Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That woe and well-being proceed?
  16. Cross References
    Romans 9:20
    But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?
  17. Cross References
    2 Samuel 12:11
    Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from 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.
  18. Cross References
    Genesis 15:4
    And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.
  19. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 23:5
    Nevertheless the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.
    Nehemiah 13:2
    Because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.
    Proverbs 20:22
    Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.
  20. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 23:5
    Nevertheless the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.
    Romans 8:28
    And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
    Hebrews 12:10
    For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
    Hebrews 12:11
    Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
  21. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:12
    Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city - from Giloh - while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.
    2 Samuel 15:37
    So Hushai, David's friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.
  22. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:37
    So Hushai, David's friend, went into the city. And Absalom came into Jerusalem.
  23. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:34
    But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father's servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,' then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me.
  24. Cross References
    2 Samuel 19:25
    So it was, when he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said to him, "Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?
    Proverbs 17:17
    A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
  25. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:34
    But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father's servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,' then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me.
  26. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:12
    Then Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city - from Giloh - while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy grew strong, for the people with Absalom continually increased in number.
  27. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:16
    Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house.
    2 Samuel 20:3
    Now David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten women, his concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in seclusion and supported them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
  28. Cross References
    Genesis 34:30
    Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.
    1 Samuel 13:4
    Now all Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel had also become an abomination to the Philistines. And the people were called together to Saul at Gilgal.
  29. Cross References
    2 Samuel 2:7
    "Now therefore, let your hands be strengthened, and be valiant; for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah has anointed me king over them."
    Zechariah 8:13
    And it shall come to pass That just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, So I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Do not fear, Let your hands be strong.
  30. Cross References
    2 Samuel 12:11
    Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from 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.
    2 Samuel 12:12
    'For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.'"
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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