7
To the accompaniment of curses he shouted, "Get lost, get lost, you butcher, you hellhound!
8
God has paid you back for all your dirty work in the family of Saul and for stealing his kingdom. God has given the kingdom to your son Absalom. Look at you now - ruined! And good riddance, you pathetic old man!"
9
Abishai son of Zeruiah said, "This mangy dog can't insult my master the king this way - let me go over and cut off his head!"
10
But the king said, "Why are you sons of Zeruiah always interfering and getting in the way? If he's cursing, it's because God told him, 'Curse David.' So who dares raise questions?"
11
"Besides," continued David to Abishai and the rest of his servants, "my own son, my flesh and bone, is right now trying to kill me; compared to that this Benjaminite is small potatoes. Don't bother with him; let him curse; he's preaching God's word to me.
12
And who knows, maybe God will see the trouble I'm in today and exchange the curses for something good."
13
David and his men went on down the road, while Shimei followed along on the ridge of the hill alongside, cursing, throwing stones down on them, and kicking up dirt.
14
By the time they reached the Jordan River, David and all the men of the company were exhausted. There they rested and were revived.
15
By this time Absalom and all his men were in Jerusalem. And Ahithophel was with them.
16
Soon after, Hushai the Arkite, David's friend, came and greeted Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"
17
Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this the way you show devotion to your good friend? Why didn't you go with your friend David?"