1   When David had moved on a little from the top of the ridge, he was met by Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who had with him a pair of asses saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a flagon of wine. 2   The king said to him, ‘What are you doing with these?’ Ziba answered, ‘The asses are for the king's family to ride on, the bread and the summer fruit are for the servants to eat, and the wine for anyone who becomes exhausted in the wilderness.’ 3   The king asked, ‘Where is your master's grandson?’ ‘He is staying in Jerusalem,’ said Ziba, ‘for he thought that the Israelites might now restore to him his grandfather's throne.’ 4   The king said to Ziba, ‘You shall have everything that belongs to Mephibosheth.’ Ziba said, ‘I am your humble servant, sir; may I continue to stand well with you.’

5   As King David approached Bahurim, a man of Saul's family, whose name was Shimei son of Gera, came out, cursing as he came. 6   He showered stones right and left on David and on all the king's servants and on everyone, soldiers and people alike. 7   This is what Shimei said as he cursed him: ‘Get out, get out, you scoundrel! you man of blood! 8   The Lord has taken vengeance on you for the blood of the house of Saul whose throne you stole, and he has given the kingdom to your son Absalom. You murderer, see how your crimes have overtaken you!’

9   Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Why let this dead dog curse your majesty? 10   I will go across and knock off his head.’ But the king said, ‘What has this to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses and if the Lord has told him to curse David, who can question it?’ 11   David said to Abishai and to all his servants, ‘If my son, my own son, is out to kill me, who can wonder at this Benjamite? Let him be, let him curse; for the Lord has told him to do it. 12   But perhaps the Lord will mark my sufferings ^note and bestow a blessing on me in place of the curse laid on me this day.’ 13   David and his men continued on their way, and Shimei moved along the ridge of the hill parallel to David's path,

Absalom's rebellion and other conflicts cursing as he went and hurling stones across the valley at him and kicking up the dust. 14   When the king and all the people with him reached the Jordan, ^note they were worn out; and they refreshed themselves there.

15   By now Absalom and all his Israelites had reached Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16   When Hushai the Archite, David's friend, met Absalom he said to him, ‘Long live the king! 17   Long live the king!’ But Absalom retorted, ‘Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with him?’ 18   Hushai answered Absalom, ‘Because I mean to attach myself to the man chosen by the Lord, by this people, and by all the men of Israel, and with him I will remain. 19   After all, whom ought I to serve? Should I not serve the son? I will serve you as I have served your father.’ 20   Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, ‘Give us your advice: how shall we act?’ 21   Ahithophel answered, ‘Have intercourse with your father's concubines whom he left in charge of the palace. Then all Israel will come to hear that you have given great cause of offence to your father, and this will confirm the resolution of your followers.’ 22   So they set up a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he lay with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. 23   In those days a man would seek counsel of Ahithophel as readily as he might make an inquiry of the word of God; that was how Ahithophel's counsel was esteemed by David and Absalom.

Previous section

Next section