2 Samuel 16

Ziba by presents and false information, getteth of David all his master Mephiboseths estate. v. 1, &c. since revileth and curseth David, 5. Abisai would revenge it but David taketh it very patiently, 9. Absalom cometh with Achitophel to Jerusalem, 15. Husai complyeth prudently with Absalom, and Absalom lyeth with his Fathers concubines, in the sight of all Israel, according to Achitophels counsel, 20. which in those days was highly esteemed, 23.

1. Now when David was a little past the top, [Of the mount of Olives] behold, then Ziba met him, Mephiphoseths lad, [i.e. servant or minister. See of this man above chap.9.2. &c.] with a couple of sadled [oth. girt, or loaden] asses, and upon them two hundred (loaves of) bread, with an hundred pieces pf raisors, and an hundred (pieces) of summer-fruits; and a lether-sack of wine.

2. And the King said unto Ziba; what wilt thou (do) with these? [Heb. what (shall) they (do) to thee] And Ziba said; the asses are the Kings house to ride on, [there being some women, and also friends and courtiers of the King besides the King himself, that went on foot, above chap.15.16, 17, 30.] and he bread, and the summer-fruits, for the youths to eat, and the wine, that those that be faint in the wilderness [see above ch.15.on v.23. and below chap.17.29.] may drink.

3. Then said the King where is then thy Lords [viz. Jonathans] son? [viz. Mephiboseth] and Ziba said unto the King, behold, he abideth at Jerusalem, for he said; to day shall the house of Israel restore me the Kingdom of my Father. [a shamefull disloyalty to word his Lord with a bold lie, which David, without further search or inquiry, too soon believed. See above chap.19.26, 27.]

4. Then said the King unto Ziba; behold, all that Mephiboseth hath: [see above chap.9.7, 9.] shall be thine [a rash judgement of so wise a King. See below chap.19.27, &c.] and Ziba said; I bow my self down, [in token of reverence and thankfulness, as above chap.14.22. This was all that Ziba aim’d at, to make David’s necessity serve his own particular profit] let me find grace in thine eyes, my Lord, (O) King.

5. Now when King David came to Bahurim; [See above chap 3.on v.16. and below chap.19.16.] behold, there came thence out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Simei, [Heb. Schimi] the son of Gera; he went still on, and cursed. [Heb. he went, or came forth, going forth, or coming forth, and cursed, i.e. going and cursing. Compare above chap.13.19. and below v.13.]

6. And he cast stones at David; and likewise at all the servants of King David: although all the people, and all the champions were at his right hand and on his left. [He attempted so bold a fact, not withstanding that all these marched by David’s side.]

7. Now thus said Simei in his cursing: [Or when, or while he cursed him, to wit, David] come out, come out, thou man of blood, [Heb. man of bloods, i.e. thou murderer, thou blood-thirsty person, see Psa.5.on v.7.] and thou man of Belial. [see Deut.13.on v.13.]

8. The Lord hath caused to return upon thee all the blood [See Judg.9.on v.24.] of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned: [he reviles David, as the Author of Abners and Isboseths murder, intimating, that by that means David came to the Crown & Kingdom of all Israel] now the Lord hath delivered the Kingdom into the hand of Absalom, thy son: behold, now thou art in thy mischief, [Heb. evil, i.e. misery, punishment of thy sins] because thou art a man of blood.

9. Then said Abisai, the son of Zeruja, unto the King, why should this dead dog [see above chap.9. on v.8.] curse my Lord the King? Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.

10. But the King said; what have I to do with you, [Heb. what (is) to me and to you? Or what have I and ye? viz. to do one with another. As if he had said: why do ye always vex me with your wrath and hastiness, whereby ye are prone to be straightway smitten with the sword. So below chap.9.22. and Judg.11.12, &c.] the sons of Zeruja? yea, let him curse; for the LORD hath now said unto him, curse David: [understand this not properly, as if God had commanded it either outwardly by his word, or inwardly by his holy Spirit: but by comparison from the secret guidance and providence of God, whereby he delivered up this same Simei unto Satan, and to his own wicked lusts, and so over-ruled his wickedness, which he had of and from himself , that he now exercised it against David, to chastice and humible him as a gracious and loving father, and then justlytp punish Simei’s wickedness. Compare 1 Sam.18.10, 11 1 Kings 22:21, 22. 1 Chron.21.1. and above ch.12.11,12, below chap.24.1.] who shall then say; [viz. unto the Lord. Although God at this time did David no wrong, yet Simei committed a grievous crime, who Judge David to be worthy of punishment. See 1 Kings 2:9.] wherefore hast thou done so?

11. Moreover, David said to Abisai, and to all his servants; behold, my son which came forth of my body, seeketh my soul; [i.e. hunteth after my life. See above chap.4.on v.8.] how much more then this son of Jemini? [i.e. this Benjamite, as Judg.19.16 Simei was of Sauls family, above v.5. and Saul was of the tribe of Benjamin. See above chap.3.on v.19.] and below chap.19 16.] let him alone, let him curse, for the LORD hath said it to him. [see on the former verse.]

12. It may be the LORD will look on my misery: [Oth. mine eye, i.e. my tears] and the LORD will recompense good unto me, for his curse, this day. [i.e. wherewith Simei curseth me this day, or it may be God will also even this very day allot me out some good for this curse.]

13. So David with his men went on the way: and Simei went on [Heb. went, going] along the bills side over against him, [viz. David] and cursed, and threw with stones from over against him, [or at him] and dusted with dust. [i.e. he raised dust and kick it up, and cast it upon David and his men: or he threw lumps or pieces of Earth, so that David and his men were all bedusted with it.]

14. And the King came in, and all the people that were with him, being weary: and he refreshed himself there.

15. Now Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Achitophel with him. [viz. Absalom.]

16. And it came to pass, when Husai, the Archite, David’s friend came to Absalom, that Husai had said unto Absalom; let the King live, let the King live. [i.e. I wish the King health and happiness with a long life.]

17. But Absalom said unto Husai; is this thy kindness tp thy friend? Why wentest thou not with thy friend.

18. And Husai said unto Absalom; nay, but whom the Lord chuseth, and all this people, and all the men of Israel, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

19. And again, whom shall I serve? Should I not be before the face of his [viz. David’s] son? according as I have served before thy Fathers face, so will I be before thy face.

20. Then said Absalom to Achitophel? Give counsel among you, what shall we do?

21. And Achitophel said unto Absalom: go in unto thy Fathers concubines, [i.e. lie with them, see Gen.6.on v.4.] which he hath left to keep the house: then all Israel shall hear, that thou art become stinking before thy Father, [see Gen.34.on v.30. i.e. hearing that, they will understand and perceive, that thou goest in good earnest against thy father, and carest not for him, so that they need not fear that thou wilt be reconciled to thy father, and they then be in danger of punishment] and the hands of all that are with thee shall be strengthened. [i.e. they will take heart and courage, to go on stoutly and without fear with thee against thy father. As on the contrary, the hands growing slack, signifieth to lose all courage and valour. See above chap.4. 1.]

22. So they spread Absalom a tent upon the roof: [See Deu.22.on v.8. and above chap.11.2.] And Absalom went in unto his fathers concubines, before the eyes of all Israel. [without either shame or fear of God or men did he follow this shamefulness and detestable counsel, because it proceeded from Achitophel, whose counsel was so highly esteemed, as followeth. And thus is that fulfilled which God had foretold David by Nathan, above chap.12.11, 12.]

23. And the counsel of Achitophel, which he had counselled in those days, was as if they enquired at the word of God; [i.e. so much and so highly esteemed, as if the counsel came from God himself. So that David had cause enough to pray unto God, as he did above ch.15.31. Now how God heard David, and commended. Both Achitophel and his counsel, see thereof in the following chapter.]