# 2 Samuel 16 đ: Ziba's Deceit and Shimei's Curses
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đ Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#đ§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#âď¸ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#đ Key Principles / đ Life Application]]
> [[#đŹ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#âď¸ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đ Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#đ Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#đ Internal Notes]]
## đ Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
### David Receives Gifts from Ziba
[[#Verse 01.]] When David had gone a short way beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a couple of donkeys that were saddled, and on them were 200 loaves of bread, 100 raisin cakes, 100 baskets of summer fruit, and a container of wine.
[[#Verse 02.]] The king asked Ziba, âWhy did you bring these things?â Ziba replied, âThe donkeys are for the kingâs family to ride on, the loaves of bread and the summer fruit are for the attendants to eat, and the wine is for those who get exhausted in the desert.âÂ
[[#Verse 03.]] The king asked, âWhere is your masterâs grandson?â Ziba replied to the king, âHe remains in Jerusalem, for he said, âToday the house of Israel will give back to me my grandfatherâs kingdom.ââÂ
[[#Verse 04.]]Â The king said to Ziba, âEverything that was Mephiboshethâs now belongs to you.â Ziba replied, âI bow before you. May I find favor in your sight, my lord the king.â
### Shimei Curses David and His Men
[[#Verse 05.]] Then King David reached Bahurim. There a man from Saulâs extended family named Shimei son of Gera came out, yelling curses as he approached.Â
[[#Verse 06.]]Â He threw stones at David and all of King Davidâs servants, as well as all the people and the soldiers who were on his right and on his left.
[[#Verse 07.]]Â As he yelled curses, Shimei said, âLeave! Leave! You man of bloodshed, you wicked man!Â
[[#Verse 08.]] The Lord has punished you for all the spilled blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you rule. Now the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. Disaster has overtaken you, for you are a man of bloodshed!â
[[#Verse 09.]]Â Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, âWhy should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!â
[[#Verse 10.]] But the king said, âWhat do we have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he curses because the Lord has said to him, âCurse David!,â who can say to him, âWhy have you done this?ââÂ
[[#Verse 11.]] Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, âMy own son, my very own flesh and blood, is trying to take my life. So also now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone so that he can curse, for the Lord has spoken to him.Â
[[#Verse 12.]] Perhaps the Lord will notice my affliction and this day grant me good in place of his curse.â
[[#Verse 13.]]Â So David and his men went on their way. But Shimei kept going along the side of the hill opposite him, yelling curses as he threw stones and dirt at them.Â
[[#Verse 14.]] The king and all the people who were with him arrived exhausted at their destination, where David refreshed himself.
### The Advice of Ahithophel
[[#Verse 15.]] Now when Absalom and all the men of Israel arrived in Jerusalem, Ahithophel was with him.Â
[[#Verse 16.]] When Davidâs friend Hushai the Arkite came to Absalom, Hushai said to him, âLong live the king! Long live the king!â
[[#Verse 17.]] Absalom said to Hushai, âDo you call this loyalty to your friend? Why didnât you go with your friend?âÂ
[[#Verse 18.]] Hushai replied to Absalom, âNo, I will be loyal to the one whom the Lord, these people, and all the men of Israel have chosen.Â
[[#Verse 19.]]Â Moreover, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.â
[[#Verse 20.]] Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, âGive us your advice. What should we do?âÂ
[[#Verse 21.]] Ahithophel replied to Absalom, âSleep with your fatherâs concubines whom he left to care for the palace. All Israel will hear that you have made yourself repulsive to your father. Then your followers will be motivated to support you.âÂ
[[#Verse 22.]] So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom slept with his fatherâs concubines in the sight of all Israel.
[[#Verse 23.]] In those days Ahithophelâs advice was considered as valuable as a prophetic revelation. Both David and Absalom highly regarded the advice of Ahithophel.
## đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
###### Verse 23.
## đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Ziba brought two donkeys loaded with 200 loaves, 100 raisin cakes, 100 summer fruits, and a container of wine (16:1).
2. Bahurim (16:5) is the same village where Paltiel turned back after following Michal (3:16).
3. Shimei belonged to the same clan as Saul's family (16:5) and blamed David for the blood of Saul's house (16:8).
4. Shimei threw stones and dirt at David from the hillside (16:6, 13).
5. Abishai called Shimei a "dead dog" (16:9), an expression of contempt.
6. David's response anticipates Jesus' command to bless those who curse you (Luke 6:28).
7. Ahithophel told Absalom to sleep with his father's concubines publicly (16:21), a claim to the throne and a final break with David.
8. The tent on the palace roof (16:22) fulfilled Nathan's word that this would happen in broad daylight (12:11-12).
9. Ahithophel's advice was treated as if it were a word from God (16:23).
10. Hushai's repeated greeting to the king (16:16) never says which king he means.
## đ§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## âď¸ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the King who endured insults without striking back. David let Shimei curse him and trusted the Lord to see his misery (16:11-12). When Jesus was insulted, He did not retaliate but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).
## đ Key Principles / đ Life Application
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đŹ Discussion Questions
1. David believed Ziba's story without hearing Mephibosheth's side (16:3-4). Why is it wise to hear both sides before deciding?
2. David refused to let Abishai kill Shimei (16:10-12). How should we respond to people who curse or criticize us?
3. David and his people arrived exhausted and refreshed themselves (16:14). What does rest look like in your hardest seasons?
## âď¸ Key Verses to Remember
- đ verse 11: David leaves Shimei alone and trusts the Lord.
- đ verse 12: David hopes the Lord will see his misery and repay good for the cursing.
- đ verse 14: The king and his people arrive weary and refresh themselves.
## đ Related Passages/Cross Reference
- đ [[1 Peter 02#Verse 23.|1 Peter 2:23]] - Jesus did not retaliate when insulted.
- đ [[Romans 12#Verse 14.|Romans 12:14]] - Bless those who persecute you.
- đ [[Luke 06#Verse 27.|Luke 6:27-28]] - Love your enemies and bless those who curse you.
- đ [[2 Samuel 12#Verse 11.|2 Samuel 12:11-12]] - Nathan foretells this public shame.
- đ [[Matthew 11#Verse 28.|Matthew 11:28]] - Jesus gives rest to the weary.
## đ Devotional Reflection
đ SOAP: [[2 Samuel 16 - SOAP|Rest More In Long Valleys]]
## đ Internal Notes