2 Samuel - Chapter 16

2 Samuel 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. 2 Samuel 16.2 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. 2 Samuel 16.3 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. 2 Samuel 16.4 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. 2 Samuel 16.5 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. 2 Samuel 16.6 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. 2 Samuel 16.7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: 2 Samuel 16.8 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. 2 Samuel 16.9 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. 2 Samuel 16.10 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? 2 Samuel 16.11 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. 2 Samuel 16.12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. 2 Samuel 16.13 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. 2 Samuel 16.14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there. 2 Samuel 16.15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 2 Samuel 16.16 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. 2 Samuel 16.17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? 2 Samuel 16.18 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. 2 Samuel 16.19 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. 2 Samuel 16.20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. 2 Samuel 16.21 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. 2 Samuel 16.22 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. 2 Samuel 16.23 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.

2 Samuel : Chapter 16

Reflections on 2 Samuel 16 Chapter 16 of the book of 2 Samuel immerses us in the poignant story of King David's flight. This pivotal moment in his life illustrates how various characters react to the impending crisis. Through David's encounters with Ziba and Shimei, as well as Absalom's maneuvers in Jerusalem, this text reminds us of essential themes such as slander, humility, and the challenges inherent in leadership in times of turmoil. A key figure in this chapter is Ahithophel, a counselor whose wisdom is often compared to the word of God. Through his counsel, we perceive the importance of wisdom and discernment in times of crisis. Let's consider together five biblical passages that shed light on the timeless spiritual principles this chapter offers us.

Psalms 3:1-2

"O Lord, how my enemies have multiplied! Many have risen up against me! Many say of me, 'There is no salvation for him in God.'"

This psalm, attributed to David as he fled from Absalom, resonates deeply with the events of 2 Samuel 16, where David faces adversity and betrayal.

Proverbs 26:2

"Like the sparrow in its wanderings, like the swallow in its flights, so a curse without cause will not be accomplished."

This proverb reminds us that curses, such as those pronounced by Shimei against David in 2 Samuel 16:5-14, have no basis if they are not justified.

Romans 12:19

“Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine;’” I will repay, says the Lord."

This verse illustrates David's attitude, choosing not to seek revenge on Shimei in 2 Samuel 16:11-12, but rather to trust in divine justice.

Matthew 5:44

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

David's behavior toward Shimei in 2 Samuel 16 anticipates this fundamental teaching of Jesus, calling us to love and pray for those who harm us.

1 href="1PE_2_23.html" target="_blank">Peter 2:23

"When he was angry, he did not respond with anger; when he was oppressed, he would not utter threats, but would submit to the one who judges righteously."

David's response to Shimei's curses in 2 Samuel 16 perfectly illustrates this attitude described by the apostle Peter, inviting us to patience and submission in the face of injustice.

Through these reflections, we are invited to meditate on our own response to trials and injustices, following the example of faith and wisdom shown to us by these biblical figures.