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2 Samuel 15:30-17:23
1599 Geneva Bible

30 And David went up the mount of olives, and wept as he went up, and had his head [a]covered, and went barefooted: and all the people that was with him, had every man his head covered, and as they went up, they wept.

31 Then one told David, saying, Ahithophel is one of them that have conspired with Absalom: and David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the [b]counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

32 ¶ Then David came to the top of the mount where he worshipped God: and behold, Hushai the Archite came against him with his coat torn, and having earth upon his head.

33 Unto whom David said, If thou go with me, thou shalt be a burthen unto me.

34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy [c]servant, O King (as I have been in time past thy father’s servant, so will I now be thy servant) then thou mayest bring me the counsel of Ahithophel to nought.

35 And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the Priests? therefore whatsoever thou shalt hear out of the King’s house, thou shalt show to Zadok and Abiathar the Priests.

36 Behold, there are with them their two sons: Ahimaaz Zadok’s son, and Jonathan Abiathar’s son: by them also shall ye send me everything that ye can hear.

37 So Hushai David’s friend went into the city: and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

16 1 The infidelity of Ziba. 5 Shimei curseth David. 16 Hushai cometh to Absalom. 21 The counsel of Ahithophel for the concubines.

1 When David was a little past the [d]top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred cakes of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of [e]dried figs, and a bottle of wine.

2 And the King said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, They be [f]asses for the king’s household to ride on, and bread, and dried figs for the young men to eat, and wine, that the faint may drink in the wilderness.

3 And the King said, But where is thy master’s son? Then Ziba answered the King, Behold, he remaineth in Jerusalem: for he said, This 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, [g]I beseech thee, let me find grace in thy sight, my lord, O King.

5 ¶ And when King David came to [h]Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, named Shimei, the son of Gera: and he came out and cursed.

6 And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of King David: and all the people, and all the men of war were on his [i]right hand, and on his left.

7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come forth, come forth thou [j]murderer, and [k]wicked man.

8 The Lord hath brought upon thee all the [l]blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned: and the Lord hath delivered thy kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold, thou art taken in thy wickedness, because thou art a murderer.

9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the King, Why doth (A)this dead dog curse my lord the King: let me go, I pray thee, and take away his head.

10 ¶ But the King said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? for he curseth, even because the Lord hath [m]bidden him curse David: who dare then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son which came out of mine own bowels, seeketh my life: then how much more now may this son of Benjamin? Suffer him to curse: for the Lord hath bidden him.

12 It may be that the Lord will look on [n]mine affliction, and [o]do me good for his cursing this day.

13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went by the side of the mountain over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones against him, and cast dust.

14 Then came the King and all the people that were with him weary, and refreshed themselves [p]there.

15 ¶ And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

16 And when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, Hushai said unto Absalom, [q]God save the King, God save the King.

17 Then Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy [r]friend? Why wentest thou not with thy friend?

18 Hushai then answered unto Absalom, Nay, but whom the Lord, and this people, and all the men of Israel choose, his will I be, and with them will I dwell.

19 And [s]moreover, unto whom shall I do service? not to his son? as I served before thy father, so will I before thee.

20 ¶ Then spake Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel what we shall do.

21 And [t]Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in to thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house: and when all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father, the hands of all that are with thee, shall be strong.

22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

23 And the counsel of Ahithophel which he counseled in those days, was like as one had asked [u]counsel at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

17 7 Ahithophel’s counsel is overthrown by Hushai.  14 The Lord had so ordained. 19 The Priest’s sons are hidden in the well. 22 David goeth over Jordan. 23 Ahithophel hangeth himself. 27 They bring victuals to David.

1 Moreover, Ahithophel said to Absalom, [v]Let me choose out now twelve thousand men, and I will up and follow after David this night,

2 And I will come upon him: for he is weary, and weak handled: so I will fear him, and all the people that are with him shall flee, and I will smite the king only,

3 And I will bring again all the people unto thee, and when all shall return, ([w]the man whom thou seekest being slain) all the people shall be in peace.

4 And the saying [x]pleased Absalom well, and all the Elders of Israel.

5 Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise [y]what he saith.

6 So when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath [z]spoken thus: shall we do after his saying, or no? tell thou.

7 Hushai then answered unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given, is not [aa]good at this time.

8 For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father, and his men, that they be strong men, and are chafed in mind as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: also thy father is a valiant warrior, and will not [ab]lodge with the people.

9 Behold, he is hid now in some cave, or in some place: and though some of them be overthrown at the first, yet the people shall hear, and say, The people that follow Absalom, [ac]be overthrown.

10 Then he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall [ad]shrink and faint: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is valiant, and they which be with him, stout men.

11 Therefore my counsel is, that all Israel be gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba as the sand of the Sea in number, and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

12 So shall we come upon him in some place, where we shall find him, and [ae]we will upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of all the men that are with him, we will not leave him one.

13 Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all the men of Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there.

14 ¶ Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite, is better, than the counsel of Ahithophel: for the Lord had [af]determined to destroy the [ag]good counsel of Ahithophel, that the Lord might [ah]bring evil upon Absalom.

15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the Priests, Of this and that manner did Ahithophel and the Elders of Israel counsel Absalom: and thus and thus have I counseled.

16 Now therefore send quickly, and show David, saying, Tarry not this night in the fields of the wilderness, but rather get thee [ai]over, lest the king be devoured, and all the people that are with him.

17 ¶ Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz abode by [aj]En Rogel: (for they might not be seen to come into the city) and a maid went, and [ak]told them, and they went and showed king David.

18 Nevertheless, a young man saw them, and told it to Absalom. Therefore they both departed quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court, into the which they went down.

19 And [al]the wife took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon, that the thing should not be known.

20 And when Absalom’s servants came to the wife into the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman answered them, They be gone over the [am]brook of water. And when they had sought them, and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.

21 And as soon as they were departed, the other came out of the well, and went and told king David, and said unto him, Up, and get you quickly over the water: for [an]such counsel hath Ahithophel given against you.

22 Then David arose, and all the people that were with him, and they went over Jordan [ao]until the dawning of the day, so that there lacked not one of them, that was not come over Jordan.

23 ¶ Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and he went home unto his city, and put his household in order, and [ap]hanged himself, and died, and was buried in his father’s grave.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 15:30 With ashes and dust in sign of sorrow.
  2. 2 Samuel 15:31 The counsel of the crafty worldlings doth more harm than the open force of the enemy.
  3. 2 Samuel 15:34 Though Hushai dissembled here at the King’s request, yet may we not use this example to excuse our dissimulation.
  4. 2 Samuel 16:1 Which was the hill of olives, 2 Sam. 15:30.
  5. 2 Samuel 16:1 Or, fig cakes.
  6. 2 Samuel 16:2 Commonly there are no viler traitors than they, which under pretence of friendship accuse others.
  7. 2 Samuel 16:4 Hebrew, I worship.
  8. 2 Samuel 16:5 Which was a city in the tribe of Benjamin.
  9. 2 Samuel 16:6 That is, round about him.
  10. 2 Samuel 16:7 Hebrew, man of blood.
  11. 2 Samuel 16:7 Hebrew, man of Belial.
  12. 2 Samuel 16:8 Reproaching him, as though by his means Ishbosheth and Abner were slain.
  13. 2 Samuel 16:10 David felt that this was the judgment of God for his sin, and therefore humbleth himself to his rod.
  14. 2 Samuel 16:12 Or, my tears.
  15. 2 Samuel 16:12 Meaning, that the Lord will send comfort to his, when they are oppressed.
  16. 2 Samuel 16:14 To wit, at Bahurim.
  17. 2 Samuel 16:16 Hebrew, let the king live.
  18. 2 Samuel 16:17 Meaning, David.
  19. 2 Samuel 16:19 Hebrew, the second time.
  20. 2 Samuel 16:21 Suspecting the change of the Kingdom, and so his own overthrow, he giveth such counsel as might most hinder his father’s reconciliation: and also declare to the people that Absalom was in highest authority.
  21. 2 Samuel 16:23 It was so esteemed for the success thereof.
  22. 2 Samuel 17:1 The wicked are so greedy to execute their malice, that they leave none occasion, that may further the same.
  23. 2 Samuel 17:3 Meaning, David.
  24. 2 Samuel 17:4 Hebrew, was right in the eyes of Absalom.
  25. 2 Samuel 17:5 Hebrew, what is in his mouth.
  26. 2 Samuel 17:6 Or, given such counsel.
  27. 2 Samuel 17:7 Hushai showeth himself faithful to David, in that he reproveth this wicked counsel and purpose.
  28. 2 Samuel 17:8 Or, tarry all night.
  29. 2 Samuel 17:9 Hebrew, have a breach of ruin.
  30. 2 Samuel 17:10 Hebrew, melt.
  31. 2 Samuel 17:12 Or, we will camp against him.
  32. 2 Samuel 17:14 Or, commanded.
  33. 2 Samuel 17:14 That counsel which seemed good at the first to Absalom, verse 4.
  34. 2 Samuel 17:14 For by the counsel of Hushai, he went to the battle, where he was destroyed.
  35. 2 Samuel 17:16 That is, over Jordan.
  36. 2 Samuel 17:17 Or, the well of Rogel.
  37. 2 Samuel 17:17 Meaning, the message from their fathers.
  38. 2 Samuel 17:19 Thus God sendeth succor to his, in their greatest dangers.
  39. 2 Samuel 17:20 The Chaldea text readeth: Now they have passed the Jordan.
  40. 2 Samuel 17:21 To wit, to pursue thee with all haste.
  41. 2 Samuel 17:22 They traveled all night, and by morning had all their company passed over.
  42. 2 Samuel 17:23 God’s just vengeance even in this life is poured on them which are enemies, traitors, or persecutors of his Church.
Listen to 2 Samuel 15:30-17:23
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2 Samuel 15:30-17:23
New International Version

30 But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping(A) as he went; his head(B) was covered and he was barefoot. All the people with him covered their heads too and were weeping as they went up. 31 Now David had been told, “Ahithophel(C) is among the conspirators with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, turn Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness.”

32 When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai(D) the Arkite(E) was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust(F) on his head. 33 David said to him, “If you go with me, you will be a burden(G) to me. 34 But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘Your Majesty, I will be your servant; I was your father’s servant in the past, but now I will be your servant,’(H) then you can help me by frustrating(I) Ahithophel’s advice. 35 Won’t the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king’s palace.(J) 36 Their two sons, Ahimaaz(K) son of Zadok and Jonathan(L) son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear.”

37 So Hushai,(M) David’s confidant, arrived at Jerusalem as Absalom(N) was entering the city.

David and Ziba

16 When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba,(O) the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.(P)

2 The king asked Ziba, “Why have you brought these?”

Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh(Q) those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”

3 The king then asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?”(R)

Ziba(S) said to him, “He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, ‘Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather’s kingdom.’”

4 Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth(T) is now yours.”

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

Shimei Curses David

5 As King David approached Bahurim,(U) a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei(V) son of Gera, and he cursed(W) as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! 8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned.(X) The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”(Y)

9 Then Abishai(Z) son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog(AA) curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”(AB)

10 But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?(AC) If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”(AD)

11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son,(AE) my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.(AF) 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery(AG) and restore to me his covenant blessing(AH) instead of his curse today.(AI)”

13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted.(AJ) And there he refreshed himself.

The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai

15 Meanwhile, Absalom(AK) and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel(AL) was with him. 16 Then Hushai(AM) the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17 Absalom said to Hushai, “So this is the love you show your friend? If he’s your friend, why didn’t you go with him?”(AN)

18 Hushai said to Absalom, “No, the one chosen by the Lord, by these people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and I will remain with him. 19 Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you.”(AO)

20 Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice. What should we do?”

21 Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.(AP)

23 Now in those days the advice(AQ) Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David(AR) and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.

17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would[a] choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak.(AS) I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king(AT) 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

5 But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai(AU) the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.”

7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs.(AV) Besides, your father is an experienced fighter;(AW) he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place.(AX) If he should attack your troops first,[b] whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion,(AY) will melt(AZ) with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.(BA)

11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba(BB)—as numerous as the sand(BC) on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley(BD) until not so much as a pebble is left.”

14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice(BE) of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.”(BF) For the Lord had determined to frustrate(BG) the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster(BH) on Absalom.(BI)

15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness;(BJ) cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.(BK)’”

17 Jonathan(BL) and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel.(BM) A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim.(BN) He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it.(BO)

20 When Absalom’s men came to the woman(BP) at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?”

The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.”[c] The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem.

21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan.

23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice(BQ) had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order(BR) and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 17:1 Or Let me
  2. 2 Samuel 17:9 Or When some of the men fall at the first attack
  3. 2 Samuel 17:20 Or “They passed by the sheep pen toward the water.”
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