2 Samuel Chapter 16 in Simple English

Read 2 Samuel Chapter 16

1When David had gone a little way past the top of the hill, look, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, met him. He had two donkeys saddled, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

2The king said to Ziba, "What do you mean to do with these?" Ziba said, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on. The bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for those who grow weak in the wilderness to drink."

3The king said, "And where is your master's son?" Ziba said to the king, "Look, he is staying in Jerusalem. For he said, 'Today the house of Israel will give me back my father's kingdom.'"

4Then the king said to Ziba, "Look, everything that belonged to Mephibosheth is yours." Ziba said, "I humbly beg you, let me find grace in your sight, my lord, O king."

5When king David came to Bahurim, look, a man came out from there. He was from the family of the house of Saul, and his name was Shimei, the son of Gera. He came out, cursing as he came.

6He threw stones at David and at all the servants of king David. All the people and all the mighty men were on David's right hand and on his left.

7This is what Shimei said as he cursed: "Come out, come out, you man of blood, you worthless man."

8"The LORD has brought back on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. Look, you are caught in your own evil, 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? Let me go over, I beg you, and take off his head."

10The king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David.' Who then shall say, 'Why have you done this?'"

11David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Look, my own son, who came from my body, is trying to kill me. How much more may this Benjamite do it now? Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to."

12"It may be that the LORD will look on my trouble, and that the LORD will pay me back with good for his cursing today."

13As David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him. He cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and threw dust.

14The king and all the people who were with him came to the place weary, and they rested there.

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

16When Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "God save the king, God save the king."

17Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your kindness to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"

18Hushai said to Absalom, "No. The one whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will stay."

19"And besides, whom should I serve? Should I not 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 advice. What shall we do?"

21Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that your father hates you, and the hands of all who are with you will be strong."

22So they spread a tent for Absalom on the roof of the house, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

23In those days, the advice that Ahithophel gave was as if a man had asked at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel, both with David and with Absalom.

Explanation

2 Samuel 16

In short

David flees Jerusalem as his son Absalom takes over the kingdom. On the way, David encounters both insult and support, and he chooses to endure cursing rather than retaliate. Meanwhile, Absalom's advisor gives him counsel designed to publicly break with his father and cement his rule.

Context

David has just fled Jerusalem because his son Absalom has turned the people against him and claimed the throne (this happens in chapter 15). As David travels away from the city with his followers, he meets various people who respond differently to his downfall. Later, Absalom enters Jerusalem and receives counsel on how to consolidate his power. Hushai, David's loyal friend, has stayed behind to act as a spy in Absalom's court.

What the text says

Ziba, a servant of Mephibosheth, brings David supplies for his journey: donkeys, bread, raisins, fruit, and wine (verses 1-2). When David asks where Mephibosheth is, Ziba claims his master stayed in Jerusalem hoping to regain Saul's kingdom (verse 3). David immediately gives Ziba all of Mephibosheth's property (verse 4).

Shimei, a man from Saul's clan, comes out cursing David, throwing stones and calling him a "bloody man" (verses 5-7). He says the Lord has repaid David for the blood of Saul's house and has given the kingdom to Absalom (verse 8). Abishai offers to kill Shimei, but David refuses (verses 9-10). David tells his men to let Shimei curse, saying perhaps the Lord will see his affliction and repay him good for this cursing (verses 11-12). Shimei continues cursing as they travel (verse 13).

In Jerusalem, Absalom arrives with all Israel and Ahithophel (verse 15). Hushai greets Absalom as king (verse 16), and when Absalom questions his loyalty, Hushai claims he will serve whoever the Lord and the people choose (verses 17-18). Absalom asks Ahithophel for counsel (verse 20). Ahithophel advises Absalom to publicly take his father's concubines, which will demonstrate the breach between them and strengthen his supporters (verses 21-22). The text notes that Ahithophel's counsel was trusted like God's oracle (verse 23).

Takeaways

David's response to cursing shows trust that God rather than human retaliation will ultimately settle accounts.
A false accusation about Mephibosheth's loyalty costs him his property, while loyalty expressed by Hushai works as hidden resistance.
Ahithophel's advice to Absalom serves both symbolic and practical purposes in consolidating a stolen throne.

2 Samuel 16 - Simple English