2 Samuel 16

1 cumque David transisset paululum montis verticem apparuit Siba puer Mifiboseth in occursum eius cum duobus asinis qui onerati erant ducentis panibus et centum alligaturis uvae passae et centum massis palatarum et utribus vini

2 et dixit rex Sibae quid sibi volunt haec responditque Siba asini domestici regis ut sedeant et panes et palatae ad vescendum pueris tuis vinum autem ut bibat si quis defecerit in deserto

3 et ait rex ubi est filius domini tui responditque Siba regi remansit in Hierusalem dicens hodie restituet mihi domus Israhel regnum patris mei

4 et ait rex Sibae tua sint omnia quae fuerunt Mifiboseth dixitque Siba adoro inveniam gratiam coram te domine mi rex

5 venit ergo rex David usque Baurim et ecce egrediebatur inde vir de cognatione domus Saul nomine Semei filius Gera procedebat egrediens et maledicebat

6 mittebatque lapides contra David et contra universos servos regis David omnis autem populus et universi bellatores a dextro et sinistro latere regis incedebant

7 ita autem loquebatur Semei cum malediceret regi egredere egredere vir sanguinum et vir Belial

8 reddidit tibi Dominus universum sanguinem domus Saul quoniam invasisti regnum pro eo et dedit Dominus regnum in manu Absalom filii tui et ecce premunt te mala tua quoniam vir sanguinum es

9 dixit autem Abisai filius Sarviae regi quare maledicit canis hic moriturus domino meo regi vadam et amputabo caput eius

10 et ait rex quid mihi et vobis filii Sarviae dimittite eum maledicat Dominus enim praecepit ei ut malediceret David et quis est qui audeat dicere quare sic fecerit

11 et ait rex Abisai et universis servis suis ecce filius meus qui egressus est de utero meo quaerit animam meam quanto magis nunc filius Iemini dimittite eum ut maledicat iuxta praeceptum Domini

12 si forte respiciat Dominus adflictionem meam et reddat mihi bonum pro maledictione hac hodierna

13 ambulabat itaque David et socii eius per viam cum eo Semei autem per iugum montis ex latere contra illum gradiebatur maledicens et mittens lapides adversum eum terramque spargens

14 venit itaque rex et universus populus cum eo lassus et refocilati sunt ibi

15 Absalom autem et omnis populus Israhel ingressi sunt Hierusalem sed et Ahitofel cum eo

16 cum autem venisset Husai Arachites amicus David ad Absalom locutus est ad eum salve rex salve rex

17 ad quem Absalom haec est inquit gratia tua ad amicum tuum quare non isti cum amico tuo

18 responditque Husai ad Absalom nequaquam quia illius ero quem elegit Dominus et omnis hic populus et universus Israhel et cum eo manebo

19 sed ut et hoc inferam cui ego serviturus sum nonne filio regis sicut parui patri tuo sic parebo et tibi

20 dixit autem Absalom ad Ahitofel inite consilium quid agere debeamus

21 et ait Ahitofel ad Absalom ingredere ad concubinas patris tui quas dimisit ad custodiendam domum ut cum audierit omnis Israhel quod foedaveris patrem tuum roborentur manus eorum tecum

22 tetenderunt igitur Absalom tabernaculum in solario ingressusque est ad concubinas patris sui coram universo Israhel

23 consilium autem Ahitofel quod dabat in diebus illis quasi si quis consuleret Deum sic erat omne consilium Ahitofel et cum esset cum David et cum esset cum Absalom

2 Samuel 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

Ziba's falsehood. (1-4) David cursed by Shimei. (5-14) Ahithophel's counsel. (15-23)

Verses 1-4 Ziba belied Mephibosheth. Great men ought always to be jealous of flatterers, and to be careful that they hear both sides.

Verses 5-14 David bore Shimei's curses much better than Ziba's flatteries; by these he was brought to pass a wrong judgment on another, by those to pass a right judgment on himself: the world's smiles are more dangerous than its frowns. Once and again David spared Saul's life, while Saul sought his. But innocence is no defence against malice and falsehood; nor are we to think it strange, if we are charged with that which we have been most careful to keep ourselves from. It is well for us, that men are not to be our judges, but He whose judgment is according to truth. See how patient David was under this abuse. Let this remind us of Christ, who prayed for those who reviled and crucified him. A humble spirit will turn reproaches into reproofs, and get good from them, instead of being provoked by them. David the hand of God in it, and comforts himself that God would bring good out of his affliction. We may depend upon God to repay, not only our services, but our sufferings.

Verses 15-23 The wisest counsellors of that age were Ahithophel and Hushai: Absalom thinks himself sure of success, when he has both; on them he relies, and consults not the ark, though he had that with him. But miserable counsellors were they both. Hushai would never counsel him to do wisely. Ahithophel counselled him to do wickedly; and so did as effectually betray him, as he did, who was designedly false to him: for they that advise men to sin, certainly advise them to their hurt. After all, honesty is the best policy, and will be found so in the long run. Ahithophel gave wicked counsel to Absalom; to render himself so hateful to his father, that he would never be reconciled to him; this cursed policy was of the devil. How desperately wicked is the human heart!

Chapter Summary

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.