1
When David had just gone past the summit, Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, came to meet him, with a pair of saddled donkeys, loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
2
The king asked Ziba, “What do you mean by all this?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on; the bread and summer fruits are for your men to eat; and the wine is for those who are weary in the wilderness to drink.”
3
Then the king asked, “Where is your master’s son?” Ziba answered the king, “He is in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore to me my father’s kingdom.’”
4
Then the king said to Ziba, “Very well, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” Ziba said, “I bow down! May I continue to find favor in your sight, my lord the king.”
5
When King David came to Bahurim, a man from the family of Saul came out from there; his name was Shimei son of Gera. As he approached the king, he kept on cursing.
6
He pelted David and all King David’s officials with stones, though all the army and all the mighty men were on his right and on his left.
7
This is what Shimei said as he cursed: “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man!
8
The LORD has repaid you for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you became king; the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See now, you are in trouble, because you are a man of blood.”
9
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me cross over and cut off his head.”
10
But the king said, “What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse, for if the LORD has told him, ‘Curse David,’ who then can say, ‘Why have you done this?’”
11
David also said to Abishai and to all his servants, “If my own son seeks my life, how much more now this Benjamite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to do so.
12
Perhaps the LORD will look upon my affliction, and the LORD will repay me with good in place of his curse today.”
13
So David went on his way with his men, while Shimei kept going along the hillside opposite him, and as he went he cursed, threw stones at him, and raised dust.
14
The king and all the people who were with him came weary to the Jordan, and they rested there.
15
Then Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.
16
When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17
Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”
18
Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but the one whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will stay.
19
Moreover, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so will I serve you.”
20
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give counsel; what shall we do?”
21
Ahithophel answered Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”
22
So they spread a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
23
Now the counsel that Ahithophel gave in those days was as if one had inquired of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.
💔😢👑 Summary of 2 Samuel 16 – David Is Mocked, Slandered, and Remains Humble
2 Samuel 16 continues David’s journey as he flees from Absalom’s rebellion. In the midst of the crisis, David faces two great tests: the suspicious kindness of Ziba and the open insult of Shimei, a man from Saul’s family. Though slandered and humiliated, David responds with humility and faith, entrusting everything to God. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Absalom enters the palace, and Ahithophel gives a vile counsel that will publicly shame David.
📌 1. Ziba Welcomes David with “Gifts” (verses 1–4)
➡️ Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, brings donkeys, bread, fruit, and wine
➡️ He says Mephibosheth has betrayed him and wants to seize Saul’s kingdom again
➡️ David believes Ziba and immediately gives him all of Mephibosheth’s property
🎯 A weary heart can be deceived by pretense, especially in a crisis.
📌 2. Shimei Curses David (verses 5–14)
➡️ Shimei from the tribe of Benjamin throws stones at David and curses him:
“Come out, murderer, criminal! The Lord is repaying you for the blood of Saul’s family!”
➡️ Abishai wanted to kill Shimei, but David said:
“Let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.”
➡️ David kept walking in sorrow and humility
🎯 David did not answer insults with anger — he entrusted everything to the Lord.
📌 3. Absalom Enters Jerusalem, Ahithophel Betrays (verses 15–19)
➡️ Absalom arrived in Jerusalem with Ahithophel
➡️ Hushai, David’s friend, pretended to support Absalom as part of a spying strategy
➡️ Absalom welcomed Hushai gladly
🎯 Enemies can be outwitted when God’s wisdom works through a faithful person.
📌 4. Ahithophel’s Wicked Counsel (verses 20–23)
➡️ Ahithophel advised Absalom to sleep with David’s concubines on the palace roof, so that the people would know he had taken over completely
➡️ Absalom did so — this fulfilled the Lord’s prophecy through Nathan (2 Sam 12:11)
🎯 David’s past sin brought real consequences in the present, even though he had been forgiven.
📖 Main Teaching
- When we are at a low point, other people’s intentions are not always pure (Ziba vs. Mephibosheth)
- The Lord sometimes allows us to be insulted to test our humility and trust
- The wisdom and strategy of a faithful person (Hushai) can become God’s instrument against evil plans
- Sin that is forgiven can still bring consequences
- A true leader does not repay insults, but entrusts judgment to the Lord
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“Jesus did not answer when He was insulted, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”
➡️ David followed Christ’s example — patient in humiliation.
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
➡️ David did not retaliate against Shimei; he even forbade his men to act.
“God works in all things for good…”
➡️ Even insult and betrayal are used by the Lord to shape character.
“Whatever a person sows, that he will also reap.”
➡️ David’s sin in the past reaped consequences, but God’s grace still upheld him.
🕊️ “Let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.” – 2 Samuel 16:11
🕊️ “Perhaps the Lord will look upon my misery.” – 2 Samuel 16:12
🕊️ “Sleep with your father’s concubines…” – 2 Samuel 16:21
🕊️ “For Ahithophel’s counsel at that time was as though one had inquired of God.” – 2 Samuel 16:23
