2 Samuel 16
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Samuel 16
NJB (MT versing) Ziba, a False Servant Mephibosheth's Servant David in Flight David and Ziba David and Ziba 16:1-4 16:1-4 16:1-4 16:1-2a 16:1-4 16:2b 16:3a 16:3b 16:4a 16:4b David Is Cursed Shimei Curses David David and Shimei Shimei Curses David 16:5-8 16:5-8 16:5-8 16:5-8 16:5-14 16:9-14 16:9-14 16:9-14 15:9 15:10-14 Absalom Enters Jerusalem The Counsel of Ahithophel (16:15-17:4) Absalom Takes Over Jerusalem Absalom in Jerusalem Hushai Ingratiates Himself with Absalom 16:15-19 16:15-19 16:15-19 16:15-16 16:15-19 16:17 16:18-19 Absalom and David's Concubines 16:20-23 16:20-23 16:20-23 16:20 16:20-23 16:21-22 16:23 Etc.
2 Samuel 16:1-4
16:1 "a little beyond the summit" This would refer to the Mount of Olives (cf. 2 Sam. 15:30). ▣ "Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth" The first time Ziba is mentioned is 2 Samuel 9. He was a steward of Saul's properties. When David gave them to Mephibosheth this servant lost his special place. This apparently caused him to lie to David in order to have Saul's property restored to him. 2 Samuel 19:24-30 reveals Ziba as a manipulative liar (cf. v. 3).
2 Samuel 16:5-8
16:5-8 There were festering wounds in the tribe of Benjamin over David replacing Saul. Shimei accuses David of being a man of bloodshed, vv. 7,8 (possibly accusing David of Abner's and Ishbosheth's murders) a worthless fellow, v. 7 (BDB 116, cf. 1 Sam. 25:25; see full note at 2 Sam. 20:1) taken in your own evil, v. 8 His tribal anger was so deep (cf. v. 13) that he had no fear of David or his mighty men (vv. 9-10).
2 Samuel 16:9-14
16:10-12 David's faith in YHWH is again (i.e., 2 Sam. 15:25-26) expressed. It is interesting that v. 10 expresses it as "if," while v. 11 expresses it as "for the Lord has told him." David simply did not know YHWH's will in this matter but trusted He would do the right and appropriate thing. We must remember that circumstances do not always reveal God's will. One of my favorite books in this area that has encouraged me so much is Hannah Whithall Smith's, The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life! 16:11 "life" This is the Hebrew nephesh, which denotes an air-breathing animal or human. For full notes see Gen. 35:18, Lev. 17:11 online. 16:12 NASB, NKJV, Peshitta "affliction" "distress" "misery" "wretchedness" "sufferings" "punishment" LXX, Vulgate "humiliation" The MT has (BDB 730, עון) "iniquity," "guilt," or "punishment of iniquity" (i.e., referring to 2 Sam. 12:11-12), but scholars suggest another similar root, "affliction" (BDB 777, עני). The UBS Text Project, p. 245, suggests "affliction" with a "C" rating (considerable doubt). The Qere is "on his eye," possibly meaning "tears," but no modern translation follows this suggestion. 16:14 The JB footnote, p. 403, suggests a place name was dropped out of the MT. "Arrived exhausted at ________ where he refreshed himself." The UBS Handbook, p. 964, also asserts the possibility of "weary" being a place name or a root similar to it. Some modern translations follow some LXX MSS which add "at the Jordan" (NRSV, REB).
2 Samuel 16:15-19
16:16 "Long live the king! Long live the king!" This was an affirmation of a long and successful reign. It was like a pledge of loyalty! 16:18 Hushai claims his loyalty (hesed, see SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS) was not to a personal friend but to the democratic choice of the men of Israel. 16:19 Hushai claims his place was with the current king!
2 Samuel 16:20-23
16:20-21 Ahithophel's initial advice was designed to confirm Absalom as the new king (i.e., having sex with David's concubines in public view, v. 22), which was predicted in 2 Sam. 12:11-12 publicly show his separation from his father David (i.e., "have made yourself odious to your father") thereby encouraging his supporters that he could not be reconciled with his father David 16:21 "concubines" These were second tier wives with limited inheritance rights. See NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 618-619. 16:22 "on the roof" This is the roof of the royal palace. The very same roof where David saw and took Bathsheba! The curse of 2 Sam. 12:11-12 comes to fruition. 16:23 "as if one inquired of the word of God" This phrase describes the esteem that Ahithophel had among the men of Israel and the royal court. His advice was analogous to a prophet's message.