Ziba Helps David

1When David had gone a little beyond the summit,A Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant,a was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a clay jar of wine. 2The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these? ”

Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those to drink who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

3“Where is your master’s grandson? ” the king asked.

“Why, he’s staying in Jerusalem,” Ziba replied to the king, “for he said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore my grandfather’s kingdom to me.’ ”a

4The king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours! ”a

“I bow before you,” Ziba said. “May I find favor with you, my lord the king! ”

Shimei Curses David

5When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out.a His name was Shimei son of Gera,b and he was yelling curses as he approached. 6He threw stones at David and at all the royalA servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left. 7Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man!a 8The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed! ”

9Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead doga curse my lord the king?b Let me go over and remove his head! ”

10The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?a He cursesb me this way because the LordA told him, ‘Curse David! ’c Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that? ’ ” 11Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood,A intends to take my lifea — how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to. 12Perhaps the Lord will see my afflictionA and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.” 13So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, threw stones at him, and kicked up dust. 14Finally, the king and all the people with him arrivedA exhausted, so they rested there.

Absalom’s Advisers

15Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was also with him. 16When David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king! ”a

17“Is this your loyalty to your friend? ” Absalom asked Hushai. “Why didn’t you go with your friend? ”

18“Not at all,” Hushai answered Absalom. “I am on the side of the one that the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him. 19Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, I will also serve in yours.”a

20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What should we do? ”

21Ahithophel replied to Absalom, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace.a When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged.”A 22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.a

23Now the advice Ahithophel gave in those days was like someone asking about a word from Goda — such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.