2 Samuel Chapter 16 — David’s Exile and Absalom’s Arrival
While David flees Jerusalem, he deals with the conflicting loyalty of Ziba and the curses of Shimei. In Jerusalem, Absalom solidifies his rebellion by following Ahithophel’s counsel.
1When David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, and one hundred clusters of raisins, and one hundred summer fruits, and a container of wine.
2The king said to Ziba, “What do you mean by these?”
3The king said, “Where is your master’s son?”
4Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.”
5When King David came to Bahurim, behold, a man of the family of Saul’s house came out, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He came out and cursed as he came.
6He 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.
7Shimei said when he cursed, “Be gone, be gone, you man of blood, and wicked fellow!
8The LORD has returned on you all the blood of Saul’s house, in whose place you have reigned! The LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son! Behold, you are caught by your own mischief, because you are a man of blood!”
9Then 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.”
10The king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
11David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my son, who came out of my bowels, seeks my life. How much more this Benjamite, now? Leave him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has invited him.
12It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me good for the cursing of me today.”
13So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him, and threw dust.
14The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary; and he refreshed himself there.
15Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
16When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”
18Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but whomever the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, I will be his, and I will stay with him.
19Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn’t I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.”
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”
21Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines that he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.”
22So they spread 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.
23The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the inner sanctuary of God. All the counsel of Ahithophel was like this both with David and with Absalom.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
2 Samuel 16:11
“David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my son, who came out of my bowels, seeks my life. How much more this Benjamite, now? Leave him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD has invited him.””
This verse demonstrates David's perspective on his suffering, viewing Shimei's insults as a potential part of God's providence.
2 Samuel 16:23
“The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the inner sanctuary of God. All the counsel of Ahithophel was like this both with David and with Absalom.”
This describes the extreme weight given to Ahithophel’s advice, explaining why his betrayal was so dangerous for David.
Chapter Summary
As David continues his flight from Jerusalem, he is met by Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, who brings supplies and claims his master has remained behind to reclaim the throne. David reacts by transferring Mephibosheth’s property to Ziba. Later, at Bahurim, Shimei of Saul’s family curses David and pelts him with stones, calling him a man of blood. Despite Abishai's offer to kill Shimei, David chooses to endure the insults, reasoning that the Lord may have commanded the curse. He expresses hope that by enduring this wrong, God might show him kindness in the future. Meanwhile, Absalom enters Jerusalem and is greeted by Hushai, who is secretly acting as a double agent for David. Following the advice of Ahithophel, whose counsel was as highly regarded as a divine oracle, Absalom publicly sleeps with his father's concubines on the roof. This act serves as a definitive break from David, signaling to all of Israel that the rift between father and son is absolute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shimei was a member of the house of Saul who cursed King David and threw stones at him as he fled Jerusalem. He accused David of being a 'man of blood' and believed David's misfortune was divine punishment for taking Saul's kingdom.
David refused to let Abishai kill Shimei, suggesting that the Lord might have commanded the curse. He expressed hope that by enduring the wrong patiently, God might eventually look upon him with favor and restore him.
Ahithophel advised Absalom to go in to David's concubines in the sight of all Israel. This public act was intended to prove that the breach between Absalom and his father was permanent, thereby strengthening the resolve of Absalom's followers.
Study Note
The public setting of Absalom's actions on the roof recalls Nathan's prophecy in 2 Samuel 12 regarding the consequences of David's own hidden actions.
Related Chapters
2 Samuel 15
This chapter describes the initial outbreak of Absalom's rebellion and David's flight from Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 19
This later chapter shows the resolution of the conflict with Shimei after David's eventual return.
2 Samuel 9
This chapter provides the background for David's relationship with Mephibosheth and Ziba.
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