1 Now when David had passed A2 Sam 15:32a little beyond the summit, behold, B2 Sam 9:2-13Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him C1 Sam 25:18with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a jug of wine. 2 The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?” And Ziba said, “AJudg 10:4The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine, B2 Sam 17:29for whoever is faint in the wilderness to drink.” 3 Then the king said, “And where is A2 Sam 9:9, 10your master’s son?” And B2 Sam 19:26, 27Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ ” 4 So the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” And Ziba said, “I prostrate myself; let me find favor in your sight, O my lord, the king!”

5 When King David came to A2 Sam 3:16; 17:18Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul B2 Sam 19:16-23; 1 Kin 2:8, 9, 44whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out CEx 22:28; 1 Sam 17:43cursing continually as he came. 6 He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the mighty men were at his right hand and at his left. 7 Thus Shimei said when he cursed, “Get out, get out, A2 Sam 12:9you man of bloodshed, and worthless fellow! 8  “A2 Sam 21:1-9The Loʀᴅ has returned upon you all B2 Sam 1:16; 3:28, 29; 4:11, 12the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Loʀᴅ has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And behold, you are taken in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!”

9 Then A1 Sam 26:8; 2 Sam 19:21; Luke 9:54Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should B2 Sam 9:8this dead dog CEx 22:28curse my lord the king? Let me go over now and 1Lit take offcut off his head.” 10 But the king said, “A2 Sam 3:39; 19:22What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? BJohn 18:11If he curses, and if the Loʀᴅ has told him, ‘Curse David,’ CRom 9:20then who shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ” 11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, A2 Sam 12:11my son who came out from 1Lit my bodyme seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, BGen 45:5; 1 Sam 26:19for the Loʀᴅ has told him. 12  “Perhaps the Loʀᴅ will look on my affliction and 1Lit the Loʀᴅ will returnADeut 23:5; Rom 8:28return good to me instead of his cursing this day.” 13 So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him. 14 The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary and he refreshed himself there.

15 A2 Sam 15:12, 37Then Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, entered Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. 16 Now it came about when A2 Sam 15:37Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that B2 Sam 15:34Hushai said to Absalom, “C1 Sam 10:24; 2 Kin 11:12Long live the king! Long live the king!” 17 Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your 1Or kindnessloyalty to your friend? A2 Sam 19:25Why did you not go with your friend?” 18 Then Hushai said to Absalom, “No! For whom the Loʀᴅ, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19  “Besides, A2 Sam 15:34whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so I will be in your presence.”

20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your advice. What shall we do?” 21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “A2 Sam 15:16; 20:3Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of all who are with you will also be strengthened.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, A2 Sam 15:16; 20:3and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines B2 Sam 12:11, 12in the sight of all Israel. 23 A2 Sam 17:14, 23The advice of Ahithophel, which he 1Lit advisedgave in those days, was as if one inquired of the word of God; B2 Sam 15:12so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom.