2 Samuel 16:12-22

12 It may be that the Lord will look on my distress, and the Lord will repay me with good for this cursing of me today."
13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, throwing stones and flinging dust at him.
14 The king and all the people who were with him arrived weary at the Jordan; and there he refreshed himself.
15 Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem; Ahithophel was with him.
16 When Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
17 Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?"
18 Hushai said to Absalom, "No; but the one whom the Lord and this people and all the Israelites have chosen, his I will be, and with him I will remain.
19 Moreover, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? Just as I have served your father, so I will serve you."
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your counsel; what shall we do?"
21 Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, the ones he has left to look after the house; and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened."
22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom upon the roof; and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

2 Samuel 16:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 16

In this chapter is an account of Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, getting his inheritance by misrepresentation of him, and by presents to David, 2Sa 16:1-4; and of Shimei's cursing David as he passed along, which David bore patiently, and would not suffer others to avenge it on him, 2Sa 16:5-14; and of Hushai's offer of his service to Absalom, who admitted him to be of his privy council, 2Sa 16:15-19; and of the counsel which Ahithophel gave, 2Sa 15:20-23.

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Gk Vg: Heb [iniquity]
  • [b]. Gk: Heb lacks [at the Jordan]
  • [c]. Gk: Heb [all the people, the men of Israel]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.