Bible Chapter Summary
2 Samuel 16 Summary
David's Flight; Hushai Defeats Ahithophel
As David passes the hilltop, Ziba, servant of Mephibosheth, meets him with supplies: two laden asses, bread, raisins, summer fruits, and wine for his journey. David grants all that belonged to Mephibosheth to Ziba. At Bahurim, Shimei, a man of Saul's house, comes out cursing David, throwing stones and dust, calling him a bloody man whom the Lord has repaid with the kingdom given to Absalom. Though Abishai offers to kill Shimei, David forbids it, saying if the Lord bade him curse, who can question it, and perhaps the Lord will look upon his affliction and repay good for this cursing. David continues weary while Absalom enters Jerusalem with Ahithophel. When Hushai reaches Absalom, he salutes him with "God save the king, God save the king." Absalom questions why Hushai did not follow David, and Hushai replies he serves whom the Lord and the people choose. Absalom asks Ahithophel for counsel, and Ahithophel advises him to go in unto his father's concubines publicly, which will show all Israel he is abhorred of his father and strengthen his supporters' hands. They spread a tent upon the roof, and Absalom lies with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. The narrator notes that Ahithophel's counsel was esteemed as inquiring at the oracle of God, valued equally by both David and Absalom.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Samuel 16:8
“The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.”
2 Samuel 16:10
“And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?”
2 Samuel 16:21-22
“And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.”
2 Samuel 16:23
“And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.”
Read 2 Samuel 16 in full
Study the complete chapter with interlinear Hebrew & Greek, verse-by-verse, in the Gospel Daily reader.
Open the full chapter