2 Samuel 16:1 – 23 “When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.
“Why do you have these?” asked the king.
Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
“Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king.
And Ziba answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’”
So, the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!”
“I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!”
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left.
And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!”
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!”
But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’” Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so. Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”
So, David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David. Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived, (at the Jordan) exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
“Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?”
“Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain. Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also, I will serve in yours.”
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?”
Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he left to keep the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”
So, they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.”
Remember Ziba, Saul’s servant, who had quietly annexed much of Saul’s possessions and land? Ziba was anything but happy when David ordered him to serve Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son. Now Ziba’s opportunity has arrived. Ziba meets David with donkeys with bread, raisins, fruits, and wine and lies to David that Mephibosheth has remained in Jerusalem in hopes of getting back everything belonging to Saul’s family. (Later we will learn that Ziba is lying; this guy is a survivor and a manipulator.) David impulsively shifts all Mephibosheth’s possessions to Ziba, giving Ziba exactly what he has hoped for. This move is short – sighted; however, David is stressed and exasperated, not a good combination for making decisions.
Next, Shimei, one of Saul’s relatives, sees David and his followers as they are passing and hurls curses on them. Shimei particularly curses David because he is a “man of bloodshed,” totally ignoring the fact that Saul spent most of his life fighting and that God was the One who chose David to be king. When Abishai, one of David’s body guards, wants to kill Shimei, David stops him, feeling that perhaps God has sent Shimei to curse him. At this point, David leaves Shimei for God to deal with.
Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem, Hushai, David’s counselor, is joining himself to Absalom’s court. Notice Hushai’s explanation. ““Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain. Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also, I will serve in yours.” Of course, Absalom is absolutely certain that God has chosen him; after all, hasn’t his father deserted Jerusalem? Isn’t David’s flight into exile a sign of God’s favor? Absalom may have a pretty face, but his intellect and his spiritual discernment are only a few millimeters deep. Hushai remains loyal to David, and it is David who has been chosen by the Lord. Notice Hushai doesn’t mention WHOM he is serving, only that he will serve in Absalom’s presence. Hushai would have made an excellent lawyer!
Ahithophel advises Absalom to have sex with the ten concubines David has left behind to keep the palace. This horrible act is designed to encourage those who are supporting Absalom by demonstrating Absalom’s power and prowess. Although Ahithophel may not realize it, his advice fulfills the prophecy brought by Nathan when David stole Bathsheba from Uriah. What Ahithophel fails to realize is that this advice will mark the last time that Absalom will listen to him.
APPLICATION: While fleeing Jerusalem, David is swayed by Ziba’s manipulations. Later on, we will learn that Mephibosheth has tried to reach David, but has been prevented by his lameness. David’s misplaced trust in Ziba is understandable; at present, David feels that everyone is against him, so any sign of help is welcome. This part of the story must serve as a caution to embattled leaders. Not everyone who offers assistance is a friend; many times, such people may be acting in the spirit of Ziba to see what they can get.
Why is Shimei cursing David? Despite the fact of David’s being anointed, there are many of Saul’s family members who have viewed David as an opportunist, conveniently forgetting that David has not ascended to the kingship until Saul’s death. Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin, and many Benjamites have evidently been blaming David for their failure to succeed. Shimei is undoubtedly one of these people. Centuries later, Shakespeare would write, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in the stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” (Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene III, L. 140-141) But the Benjamites have chosen to blame David.
By speaking judiciously, Hushai manages to join himself to Absalom’s court. Hushai is a brave man, because Absalom is young, ambitious, and easily swayed. If Ahithophel says the wrong thing to Absalom, Hushai might be killed very quickly; however, Absalom’s ego is in an ever – expanding gaseous state. Why shouldn’t both of his father’s counselors join him? God must be smiling on Absalom!
The advice Ahithophel gives may disgust us, but such acts are common practice among conquering kings of this time. One can’t help feeling sorry for the concubines; after all, they have no choice in the matter. In effect, Absalom rapes the concubines publicly, showing off his genitalia in the process. This act of domination is an eerie reminder of the fertility rites practiced by surrounding tribes; certainly, this is not an act of worship of the One True Living God. Has Absalom ever truly believed in God? For that matter, which god does Ahithophel worship? If David has spent his time making war and neglecting to teach his family, Absalom may very well worship one of the fertility deities to begin with.
At this point, it looks grim for David; in fact, the lives of David and his followers hang in a precarious balance. But the prophecies of God’s punishment of David have been completely fulfilled. David has repented; God has punished. It is time for things to change.
Never in the history of the world has there been a totally virtuous leader or head of an organization, apart from Jesus Christ himself. Even Moses, who spoke with God face to face, lost his temper and with it the opportunity to physically enter the Promised Land. But God is just, and once a leader has repented and has lived through the consequences of his or her failures, God can begin restoration. Perhaps you identify with David at this point. Those under you have rebelled, leaving you searching your mind and heart to know whether you should continue or simply accept events and resign. Hold on! Don’t give up! People have given their opinions; however, you have yet to hear from God. And praise God! He always has the last word!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, there are many leaders who are struggling and who need Your guidance. Help these people to reach out to You, trusting that You will bring them through their challenges into the futures You want for them. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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