2 Samuel 16:7-23 ▼

7 |Get out of here! Get out!| Shimei yelled as he cursed. |You murderer! You who think you're above the law!

8 The LORD has repaid you personally for murdering the entire dynasty of Saul, whose place you've taken to reign! And the LORD has given the kingdom into your son Absalom's control. Now look! Your own evil has caught up with you, because you're guilty of murder!|

9 At this point, Zeruiah's son Abishai asked the king, |Why should this dead dog be cursing your majesty the king? May I have permission to go over and cut off his head?|

10 But the king responded, |What do I have in common with you sons of Zeruiah? If he continues to curse—and if the LORD has told him, 'Curse David!'—then who are you to be demanding to know 'Why have you done this?'|

11 So David ordered Abishai and all of his staff: |Look! My own son wants to kill me! How much more now is this descendant of Benjamin? Leave him alone and let him go on cursing, because the LORD has ordered him to do this.

12 Perhaps the LORD will take note of my troubles and return good to me instead of curses today!|

13 So David and his entourage went on their way, and Shimei walked along the hillside with him, cursing, throwing rocks, and tossing dirt at David as they went along.

14 Eventually, the king and his entourage arrived exhausted at their destination, and David refreshed himself there.

15 Right about then, Absalom and his entourage from the people of Israel entered Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel.

16 When David's friend Hushai the Archite approached Absalom, Hushai greeted Absalom, |Long live the king! Long live the king!|

17 But Absalom asked Hushai, |So this is how you demonstrate your loyalty to your closest friends? Why didn't you leave with your friend?|

18 Hushai replied, |No! On the contrary, whomever the LORD, this group, and all the men of Israel choose is where I'll be, and I'll remain with him!

19 Besides, who else should I be serving? Why not the son? The same way I served your father, I'll serve you.|

20 So Absalom asked Ahithophel, |What's your advice? What should we do?|

21 Ahithophel responded, |Go inside and have sex with your father's mistresses , whom he left to keep the palace in order. Then everyone in Israel will hear how your father has come to hate you and everyone who has joined you will be emboldened to act.|

22 So they erected a tent for Absalom on the palace roof and Absalom went in and had sex with his father's mistresses right in front of all Israel.

23 Now Ahithophel's advice that he provided at that time was being compared to one who inquired of God, so highly regarded was Ahithophel's counsel by both David and Absalom.