1
Now when David had passed a littlebeyond the summit, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephiboshethmet him with a couple of saddleddonkeys, and on them were twohundred loaves of bread, a hundredclusters of raisins, a hundredsummerfruits, and a jug of wine.
2
The kingsaid to Ziba, "Why do you have these?" And Zibasaid, "The donkeys are for the king'shousehold to ride, and the bread and summerfruit for the youngmen to eat, and the wine, for whoever is faint in the wilderness to drink."
3
Then the kingsaid, "And where is your master'sson?" And Zibasaid 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 kingsaid to Ziba, "Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours." And Zibasaid, "I prostrate myself; let me findfavor in your sight, O my lord, the king!"
5
When KingDavidcame to Bahurim, behold, there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out cursing continually as he came.
8
"The LORD has returned upon you all the bloodshed of the house of Saul, in whoseplace you have reigned; and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your sonAbsalom. And behold, you are taken in your own evil, for you are a man of bloodshed!"
10
But the kingsaid, "What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if the LORD has told him, 'CurseDavid,' then who shall say, 'Why have you doneso?' "
11
Then Davidsaid to Abishai and to all his servants, "Behold, my sonwhocame out from me seeks my life; howmuch*more*now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him.
13
So David and his menwent on the way; and Shimeiwent along on the hillside*parallel with him and as he went he cursed and caststones and threwdust at him.
19
"Besides, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father'spresence, so I will be in your presence."
21
Ahithophelsaid to Absalom, "Go in to your father'sconcubines, whom he has left to keep the house; then allIsrael will hear that you have made yourself odious to your father. The hands of allwho are with you will also be strengthened."
23
The advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in thosedays, was as if one inquired of the word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by bothDavid and Absalom.