2 Samuel 16

Authorized King James Version

Study Interlinear PDF
Chapter Overview

2 Samuel 16 is a biographical narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of grace, love, worship. Written during David's reign (c. 1010-970 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: David established Jerusalem as the capital during a time of regional power vacuum.

The chapter can be divided into several sections:

  1. Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
  2. Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
  3. Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
  4. Verses 21-23: Conclusion and application

This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 2 Samuel and its broader place in the scriptural canon.

Ziba and Mephibosheth

1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. Sin: 1 Samuel 25:18, 1 Chronicles 12:40. References David: 2 Samuel 15:30, 15:32, 1 Samuel 16:20. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 19:32, 1 Samuel 10:3, Jeremiah 40:10, 40:12, Amos 8:1 +5

2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 17:29, Judges 5:10, 10:4

3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? 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.

4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lordLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., O king. Parallel theme: Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 19:15, Proverbs 18:13, 18:17, 19:2

Shimei Curses David

5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. Curse: Exodus 22:28, 1 Samuel 17:43. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 3:16, 17:18

6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

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. Blood: 2 Samuel 1:16, Judges 9:24

9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lordLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. Kingdom: 1 Samuel 24:14, 1 Peter 2:17. References Lord: Luke 9:54. Curse: Exodus 22:28. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 3:8, 3:30, 9:8, Acts 23:5 +3

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? Kingdom: 2 Samuel 3:39, 19:22. Parallel theme: Genesis 50:20, Daniel 4:35, Matthew 16:23, John 18:11, Romans 9:20, 1 Peter 2:23 +3

11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. References Lord: 1 Samuel 1:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:7. Sin: Deuteronomy 23:5, Psalms 25:18. Good: Romans 8:28. Parallel theme: Isaiah 27:7, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Hebrews 12:10 +3

13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

Absalom Enters Jerusalem

15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. References Jerusalem: 2 Samuel 15:37

16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. Salvation: 1 Samuel 10:24, 1 Kings 1:25, 2 Kings 11:12

17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 19:25

18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. References Lord: 1 Samuel 16:13

19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 15:34

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

21 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. References Israel: Zechariah 8:13. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 2:7, 15:16, 20:3, Leviticus 18:8

22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 15:16, 20:3

23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity.: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. References David: 2 Samuel 15:12. Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 17:14, 17:23