In this chapter, a man named Ziba blesses David, and a man named Shimei curses him. The chapter begins, “David was just past the top of the hill when Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, caught up with him. He was leading two donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a skin of wine. “What are these for?” the king asked Ziba. And Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for your people to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is to be taken with you into the wilderness for those who become faint.” (2 Samuel 16:1-2)
David asked the whereabouts of Mephibosheth, and when Ziba told him he had remained in Jerusalem, David showed his appreciation to Ziba by giving him everything Mephibosheth owns.
“As David and his party passed Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, a member of Saul’s family. He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded them. “Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. “The Lord is paying you back for murdering Saul and his family. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, you murderer!”
“Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?” Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. “Let me go over and cut off his head!”
“No!” the king said. “What am I going to do with you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who am I to stop him?” Then David said to Abishai and the other officers, “My own son is trying to kill me. Shouldn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it.” And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses.” (2 Samuel 16:5-12)
David and his men continued traveling until they got tired and rested when they reached the Jordan River.
“Meanwhile, Absalom and his men arrived at Jerusalem, accompanied by Ahithophel. When David’s friend Hushai the Arkite arrived, he went immediately to see Absalom. “Long live the king!” he exclaimed. “Long live the king!”
“Is this the way you treat your friend David?” Absalom asked him. “Why aren’t you with him?” “I’m here because I work for the man who is chosen by the Lord and by Israel,” Hushai replied. “And anyway, why shouldn’t I serve you? I helped your father, and now I will help you!”
Then Absalom turned to Ahithophel and asked him, “What should I do next?” Ahithophel told him, “Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, for he has left them here to keep the house. Then all Israel will know that you have insulted him beyond hope of reconciliation, and they will give you their support.” So they set up a tent on the palace roof where everyone could see it, and Absalom went into the tent to sleep with his father’s concubines. (Remember, David prayed to the Lord in the previous chapter to allow foolish advice to come from Ahithophel. As the chapters continue, I wonder how things are going to play out.)
Absalom followed Ahithophel’s advice, just as David had done. For every word Ahithophel spoke seemed as wise as though it had come directly from the mouth of God.” (2 Samuel 16:15-23)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Like David, help us remain still, rational, and in control when others curse us, knowing that you may bless us for being wronged. Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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