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Texts -- 2 Samuel 16:1-23 (NET)

Context
David Receives Gifts from Ziba
16:1 When David had gone a short way beyond the summit , Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a couple of donkeys that were saddled , and on them were two hundred loaves of bread , a hundred raisin cakes , a hundred baskets of summer fruit , and a container of wine . 16:2 The king asked Ziba , “Why did you bring these things?” Ziba replied , “The donkeys are for the king’s family to ride on, the loaves of bread and the summer fruit are for the attendants to eat , and the wine is for those who get exhausted in the desert .” 16:3 The king asked , “Where is your master’s grandson ?” Ziba replied to the king , “He remains in Jerusalem , for he said , ‘Today the house of Israel will give back to me my grandfather’s kingdom .’” 16:4 The king said to Ziba , “Everything that was Mephibosheth’s now belongs to you.” Ziba replied , “I bow before you. May I find favor in your sight , my lord the king .”
Shimei Curses David and His Men
16:5 Then King David reached Bahurim . There a man from Saul’s extended family named Shimei son of Gera came out , yelling curses as he approached. 16:6 He threw stones at David and all of King David’s servants , as well as all the people and the soldiers who were on his right and on his left . 16:7 As he yelled curses, Shimei said , “Leave ! Leave ! You man of bloodshed , you wicked man ! 16:8 The Lord has punished you for all the spilled blood of the house of Saul , in whose place you rule . Now the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom . Disaster has overtaken you, for you are a man of bloodshed !” 16:9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king , “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king ? Let me go over and cut off his head !” 16:10 But the king said , “What do we have in common, you sons of Zeruiah ? If he curses because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David !’, who can say to him, ‘Why have you done this ?’” 16:11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants , “My own son , my very own flesh and blood , is trying to take my life . So also now this Benjaminite ! Leave him alone so that he can curse , for the Lord has spoken to him. 16:12 Perhaps the Lord will notice my affliction and this day grant me good in place of his curse .” 16:13 So David and his men went on their way . But Shimei kept going along the side of the hill opposite him, yelling curses as he threw stones and dirt at them. 16:14 The king and all the people who were with him arrived exhausted at their destination, where David refreshed himself.
The Advice of Ahithophel
16:15 Now when Absalom and all the men of Israel arrived in Jerusalem , Ahithophel was with him. 16:16 When David’s friend Hushai the Arkite came to Absalom , Hushai said to him , “Long live the king ! Long live the king !” 16:17 Absalom said to Hushai , “Do you call this loyalty to your friend ? Why didn’t you go with your friend ?” 16:18 Hushai replied to Absalom , “No , I will be loyal to the one whom the Lord , these people , and all the men of Israel have chosen . 16:19 Moreover , whom should I serve ? Should it not be his son ? Just as I served your father , so I will serve you.” 16:20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel , “Give us your advice . What should we do ?” 16:21 Ahithophel replied to Absalom , “Have sex with your father’s concubines whom he left to care for the palace . All Israel will hear that you have made yourself repulsive to your father . Then your followers will be motivated to support you.” 16:22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof , and Absalom had sex with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel . 16:23 In those days Ahithophel’s advice was considered as valuable as a prophetic revelation . Both David and Absalom highly regarded the advice of Ahithophel .

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Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

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