David and Ziba

1When David (beloved) had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba (statue) the servant of Mephibosheth (exterminating the idol) was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.

2“Why do you have these?” asked the king (statue).

Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

3“Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king.

And Ziba (statue) answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem (city of peace), for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel (he wrestles with God) will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’”

4So the king said to Ziba (statue), “All that belongs to Mephibosheth (exterminating the idol) is now yours!”

“I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!”

Shimei Curses David

5As King David (beloved) approached Bahurim (young men's village), a man from the family of the house of Saul (desired) was just coming out. His name was Shimei (renowned) son of Gera (a grain), and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. 6He threw stones at David (beloved) and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left.

7And as he yelled curses, Shimei (renowned) said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! 8The LORD {YHWH} has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul (desired), in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom (my father is peace). See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!”

9Then Abishai (my father is a gift) son of Zeruiah (balsam) said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!”

10But the king replied, “What have I to do with you⁺, O sons of Zeruiah (balsam)? If he curses me because the LORD {YHWH} told him, ‘Curse David (beloved),’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’”

11Then David (beloved) said to Abishai (my father is a gift) and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite (son of the right hand)! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD {YHWH} has told him so. 12Perhaps the LORD {YHWH} will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”

13So David (beloved) and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei (renowned) went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David. 14Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived [arrived at the Jordan],a exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

The Counsel of Ahithophel and Hushai

15Then Absalom (my father is peace) and all the men of Israel (he wrestles with God) came to Jerusalem (city of peace), and Ahithophel was (my brother is folly) with him. 16And David’s (beloved) friend Hushai (hastening) the Archite (lengthy) went to Absalom (my father is peace) and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17“Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom (my father is peace) replied (hastening). “Why did you not go with your friend?”

18“Not at all,” Hushai (hastening) answered (my father is peace). “For the one chosen by the LORD {YHWH}, by this people, and by all the men of Israel (he wrestles with God)—his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19Furthermore, whom should I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.”

20Then Absalom (my father is peace) said to Ahithophel (my brother is folly), “Give me counsel. What should we do?”

21Ahithophel (my brother is folly) replied (my father is peace), “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel (he wrestles with God) hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.”

22So they pitched a tent for Absalom (my father is peace) on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel (he wrestles with God).

23Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel (my brother is folly) was like the consultation of the word of God {Elohim}. Such was the regard that both David (beloved) and Absalom (my father is peace) had for Ahithophel’s advice.