2 Samuel 16:7-23 ▼

7 And as he yelled curses, Shimei (renowned) said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed!

8 The LORD {YHWH} has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul (desired), in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom (my father is peace). See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!”

9 Then Abishai (my father is a gift) son of Zeruiah (balsam) said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!”

10 But the king replied, “What have I to do with you⁺, O sons of Zeruiah (balsam)? If he curses me because the LORD {YHWH} told him, ‘Curse David (beloved),’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’”

11 Then David (beloved) said to Abishai (my father is a gift) and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite (son of the right hand)! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD {YHWH} has told him so.

12 Perhaps the LORD {YHWH} will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”

13 So David (beloved) and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei (renowned) went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David.

14 Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived [arrived at the Jordan], exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

15 Then Absalom (my father is peace) and all the men of Israel (he wrestles with God) came to Jerusalem (city of peace), and Ahithophel was (my brother is folly) with him.

16 And David’s (beloved) friend Hushai (hastening) the Archite (lengthy) went to Absalom (my father is peace) and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17 “Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom (my father is peace) replied (hastening). “Why did you not go with your friend?”

18 “Not at all,” Hushai (hastening) answered (my father is peace). “For the one chosen by the LORD {YHWH}, by this people, and by all the men of Israel (he wrestles with God)—his I will be, and with him I will remain.

19 Furthermore, whom should I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.”

20 Then Absalom (my father is peace) said to Ahithophel (my brother is folly), “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

21 Ahithophel (my brother is folly) replied (my father is peace), “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel (he wrestles with God) hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom (my father is peace) on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel (he wrestles with God).

23 Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel (my brother is folly) was like the consultation of the word of God {Elohim}. Such was the regard that both David (beloved) and Absalom (my father is peace) had for Ahithophel’s advice.