2 Samuel 16

1 Now when David was a little past the top, look, Ziba the servant of Mippibaal met him with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a container of wine.

2 And the king said to Ziba, "Why did you bring these things?" And Ziba replied, "The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those who get exhausted in the desert."

3 Then the king said, "Where is your master's son?" Ziba said to the king, "Look, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, 'Today the children of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my father.'"

4 Then the king said to Ziba, "Look, all that pertains to Mippibaal is yours." Ziba said, "I humbly bow. May I find favor in the sight of my lord the king."

5 And when king David reached Bahurim, now look, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera. He came out and cursed continuously as he approached.

6 And he threw stones at David and at all his servants, and all the people and all the soldiers at his right hand and at his left.

7 And Shimei said as he cursed, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, and worthless man.

8 The LORD has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And look, your evil is upon you, because you are a man of bloodshed."

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

10 The king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David;' who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"

11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Look, my son who came from my body seeks my life. So also now this Benjamite. Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.

12 Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me for his cursing today."

13 So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him, and cursed as he went, threw stones at his flank, and threw dirt.

14 Now the king and all his people arrived weary at the Jordan, and he refreshed himself there.

15 Now Absalom and all the men of Israel arrived in Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him.

16 And it came about when David's friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king. Long live the king."

17 So Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"

18 Then Hushai said to Absalom, "No, but whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I belong, and with him I will stay.

19 Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn't I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence."

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give your counsel. What should we do?"

21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's secondary wives, that he has left to care for the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father. Then those on your side will be motivated to support you."

22 So they set up a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father's secondary wives in the sight of all Israel.

23 Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one inquired of the word of God. So was all the counsel of Ahithophel both to David and to Absalom.