2nd Shamu'AL (2 Samuel) — 16

Maphibushath’s Servant

1 When Daud was a little past the top of the mountain, there was Ziba the servant of Maphibushath, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 

2 And the king said to Ziba, “What do you mean to do with these?” So Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink.”

3 Then the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Yahushalam, for he said, ‘Today the house of Yashar'AL will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ ”

4 So the king said to Ziba, “Here, all that belongs to Maphibushath is yours.” And Ziba said, “I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my master, O king!”

Shymai Curses Daud

5 Now when King Daud came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Shaul, whose name was Shymai the son of Gara, coming from there, he came out, cursing continuously as he came. 

6 And he threw stones at Daud and at all the servants of King Daud. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 

7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! 

8 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Shaul, in whose place you have reigned; and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalum your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!”

9 Then Abishai the son of Zaruyahu said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my master the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!”

10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zaruyahu? So let him curse, because 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has said to him, ‘Curse Daud.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”

11 And Daud said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Banyamyn? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has ordered him. 

12 It may be that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH will look on my affliction, and that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” 

13 And as Daud and his men went along the road, Shimai went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust. 

14 Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.

The Advice of Ahithuphal

15 Meanwhile Absalum and all the people, the men of Yashar'AL, came to Yahushalam; and Ahithuphal was with him. 

16 And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, Daud’s friend, came to Absalum, that Hushai said to Absalum, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17 So Absalum said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”

18 And Hushai said to Absalum, “No, but whom 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH and this people and all the men of Yashar'AL choose, with him I will remain. 

19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”

20 Then Absalum said to Ahithuphal, “Give advice as to what we should do.”

21 And Ahithuphal said to Absalum, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Yashar'AL will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong.”

22 So they pitched a tent for Absalum on the top of the house, and Absalum went in and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Yashar'AL.

23 Now the advice of Ahithuphal, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. So was all the advice of Ahithuphal both with Daud and with Absalum.