2 Samuel

Focuses on King David's reign, his troubles, successes, and the promise of his dynasty.

Chapter 16

1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

*When David reached just beyond the hill's top, he saw Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, coming towards him. Ziba had two donkeys ready to ride, carrying food for Mephibosheth - 200 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of raisins, and 100 portions of summer fruits, along with a bottle of wine.

2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

*The king asked Ziba about his actions, and Ziba explained that the donkeys were for the royal family to ride, the food was for the young men to eat, and the wine was for those who might get tired in the desert to drink.

3 And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

*The king asked, "Where is your master's son?" Ziba replied, "He is in Jerusalem because he says that the people of Israel will give him back his father's kingdom today."

4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.

*Then the king told Ziba, "Everything that belonged to Mephibosheth now belongs to you." Ziba replied, "Please, let me show how grateful I am for your kindness, my lord and king."

5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.

*When King David arrived in Bahurim, a man from Saul's family, named Shimei, son of Gera, appeared. He shouted curses at David as he left.

6 And he 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.

*He threw rocks at David and everyone who served him. Everyone, including the strong warriors, stood with him on both sides.

7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

*Shimei shouted while cursing, "Come out, come out, you blood-stained person, and you worthless individual."

8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.

*The Lord has punished you for all the bloodshed of King Saul's family, as you took his place as ruler. The Lord has given the kingdom to Absalom, your son. You are now caught in your wrongdoing because you are a violent person.

9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.

*Then Abishai, son of Zeruiah, told the king, "Why is this dead dog cursing my lord the king? Please let me go and cut off his head."

10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

*The king asked, "What does this have to do with me, sons of Zeruiah?" Let him curse since the Lord told him to curse David. Then who will ask, "Why did you do that?"

11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

*David told Abishai and his other helpers, "My own son wants to kill me! So, why would this person from the tribe of Benjamin do any less? Just let him say whatever he wants, because God told him to."

12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

*It's possible that God will notice my suffering and instead of punishing me, He will reward me with goodness for enduring this curse today.

13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

*As David and his group walked, a man named Shimei came from the hillside and cursed them while throwing stones and kicking up dust.

14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

*The king and everyone with him arrived tired, but they rested and felt better there.

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

*And Absalom, along with everyone from Israel, arrived in Jerusalem, bringing Ahithophel with him.

16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.

*When Hushai, a friend of David, met Absalom, he told Absalom, "May God save the king, may God save the king."

17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

*And Absalom asked Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why didn't you go with him?"

18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

*Hushai told Absalom, "No, I'll support whoever God, the people, and all Israel choose. I'll follow that person."

19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.

*Who should I serve? Shouldn't it be in the presence of his son? Just like I served in your father's presence, I will also serve you in your presence.

20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

*Then Absalom asked Ahithophel, "Give advice, all of you, on what we should do."

21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.

*Ahithophel told Absalom, "Go sleep with your father's wives who stay at home to manage things. This way, everyone in Israel will know your father doesn't like you. Then, the people helping you will have more courage."

22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

*They set up a tent for Absalom on the roof of the house, and he slept with his father's wives in front of everyone in Israel.

23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

*Ahithophel's advice during that time was like asking God for guidance; his counsel was the same for both David and Absalom.

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