2 Samuel 16…………..…………...................……………………………………………………………….

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To benefit MOST from this study, READ this chapter each day until your class study of it is completed (at least 10X).
A Study of 2 Samuel 16
I. Outline.
1. Ziba the steward of Saul and family, waited for David and had gifts for him—when asked Ziba
told David Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem to have the kingdom restored to himself—David
believes Ziba’s report and gives to him Mephibosheth’s property (1-4; cf., 2 Sam 19.24-30).
2. Shimei curses David (5-8).
3. Abishai is ready to defend David’s honor by killing Shimei, but David prefers to allow him to
speak and thinks the Lord may be sending the message through Shimei (9-14).
4. Hushai, David’s friend, tells Absalom in Jerusalem he will serve him (15-19).
5. Ahithophel, David’s former counsellor, gives his first advice to Absalom and the design of it—if
followed—is to show all that there will be no reconciliation between David and Absalom and it
would fulfill Nathan’s prophecy (20-23; cf., 12.11). Ahithophel’s counsel is described in verse
23.

II. Summary.
So this chapter tells us more about David’s escape out of Jerusalem and Absalom’s entry into
Jerusalem. There is so much on David’s mind as he hurries out of the city that he does not have
time to question whether the statements made by Ziba about Mephibosheth are truthful. He makes
a rash decision to give to Ziba Mephibosheth’s property, perhaps to repay him for the gifts he
brought for David’s escape. David has been humbled by the judgment of God upon him for his sins
and he thinks that all of the present disaster, including being cursed by Shimei, could possibly be
from the Lord (v. 10). As David had requested, Hushai presents himself to Absalom pretending to
change his loyalty to the new ruler. Ahithophel advises Absalom to lie with David’s concubines to
signal the irreconcilable differences between himself and his father. Ahithophel believes that this
will cause more people to recognize the reality of the situation and will make Absalom’s rule more
complete among the people. The fact that David saw the need to send Hushai to cause the counsel
of Ahithophel to become foolishness is better understood when we read verse 23.

III. Chronology/Lists/Links.
BIBLE PERIOD: The Period of the United Kingdom.
If you are not familiar with the 15 Bible Periods, please click here: [Link]
You can read an excellent article on Chronology from Wayne Jackson here:
[Link]

LISTS:
Characters in the chapter:
• Ziba... A servant of Saul (2 Sa. 9:2) who introduced Mephibosheth to David when he desired
to honour Jonathan’s memory. When Mephibosheth was given a place at court, Ziba was
appointed steward of Saul’s estates bestowed on Mephibosheth (2 Sa. 9). When David was
driven out by Absalom’s rebellion Ziba brought him food and also falsely accused
Mephibosheth of deserting the king. David accepted his story, did not ascertain the other
side, and gave the property to Ziba (2 Sa. 16:1–4). On David’s return, Ziba hastened to meet

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 2 Samuel 16…………..…………...................……………………………………………………………….Page 2 of 7
him (2 Sa. 19:7), but later his treachery was revealed. David, in a difficult position, divided
the property between them, and Mephibosheth was seemingly content (2 Sa. 19:24–30)1.
• Shimei... man who met David at Bahurim as he was fleeing from Absalom, and in bitter and
cowardly fashion cursed and attacked the hard-pressed king. Apparently David’s flight to
the Jordan led through a narrow ravine, on one side of which or on the ridge above, stood
Shimei in safety as he cast stones at David and his men, cursing as he threw (16.5-6). His
hatred of David who had displaced his royal kinsman Saul had smoldered long in his mean
heart; and now the flame bursts out, as the aged and apparently helpless king flees before
his own son. Shimei seizes the long-coveted opportunity to pour out the acid hate of his
heart. But when David’s faithful companions would cross the ravine to make quick work of
Shimea, the noble king forbade them with these remarkable words: 2 Samuel 16:11-12 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. .—ISBE.
• Abishai... Son of Zeruiah, David's sister, and one of the three famous brothers, of whom
Joab and Asahel were the other two (2Sa_2:18). He was chief of the second group of three
among David's “mighty men” (2Sa_23:18). He first appears with David, who was in the
Wilderness of Ziph, to escape Saul. When David called for a volunteer to go down into Saul's
camp by night, Abishai responded, and counseled the killing of Saul when they came upon
the sleeping king (1Sa_26:6-9). In the skirmish between the men of Ishbosheth and the men
of David at Gibeon, in which Asahel was killed by Abner, Abishai was present (2Sa_2:18,
2Sa_2:24). He was with and aided Joab in the cruel and indefensible murder of Abner, in
revenge for their brother Asahel (2Sa_3:30). In David's campaign against the allied
Ammonites and Syrians, Abishai led the attack upon the Ammonites, while Joab met the
Syrians; the battle was a great victory for Israel (2Sa_10:10-14). He was always faithful to
David, and remained with him, as he fled from Absalom. When Shimei, of the house of Saul,
cursed the fleeing king, Abishai characteristically wished to kill him at once (2Sa_16:8,
2Sa_16:9); and when the king returned victorious Abishai advised the rejection of Shimei's
penitence, and his immediate execution (2Sa_19:21). –ISBE.

LINKS: These links are to the writings of men and not to inspired Scripture, thus care and caution in
weighing the conclusions is always wise. Some might not be online links, but listing of material
commonly available in books and publications.
• “Does Mephibosheth Betray David?,” by Rob Alspaugh: [Link]
• Burton Coffman on 2 Samuel 16: [Link]
• David Guzik on 2 Samuel 16: [Link]
• Adam Clarke on 2 Samuel 16: [Link]

1
J. G. G. Norman, “Ziba,” ed. D. R. W. Wood et al., New Bible Dictionary (Leicester, England; Downers
Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 1270.
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 2 Samuel 16…………..…………...................……………………………………………………………….Page 3 of 7
IV. Some thoughts on the text.
1. Ziba the steward of Saul and family, waited for David and had gifts for him—when asked
Ziba told David Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem to have the kingdom restored to
himself—David believes Ziba’s report and gives to him Mephibosheth’s property (1-4; cf., 2
Sam 19.24-30). It seems fairly obvious that Ziba has concocted a plan and perhaps even is
counting on David doing the very thing he does do in response to the kindness. When we read
and study 19.24-30, it seems Mephibosheth’s account makes better sense and is likely the
truth of the matter regarding why Mephibosheth was not with Ziba. David may have been wiser
to delay the reward to Ziba until he had time to investigate more carefully, but David’s mind
was cluttered with the immediate disaster of Absalom claiming the throne and coming to
Jerusalem. Maybe even for great men it is challenging to think clearly in such settings.
2. Shimei curses David (5-8). Verse 6 lets us know that David was in no real danger from Shimei.
His mighty men were at his side and quite capable of removing Shimei from being any kind of
threat at all to the king. However, David is taking in all of these happenings as a possible
judgment from God because of his sins of chapter 11. David as a younger man was brave
enough to fight against the giant, Goliath; yet, he is not stupid enough to fight against God.
COME OUT (v. 7)—Or rather, GO OUT, as the Hebrew properly means. The idea is of being gone
from the kingdom [Benson]. Shimei was totally WRONG in the charges he is hurling at David in
verse 8. Saul brought on his own punishment from God. David was a warrior, but he had treated
Saul’s family well, partly due to the respect he had for God’s anointed, and partly because of
the covenant he had made with Jonathan.
3. Abishai is ready to defend David’s honor by killing Shimei, but David prefers to allow him to
speak and things the Lord may be sending the message through Shimei (9-14). David’s main
thoughts on this humbling trip out of Jerusalem must have only lightly been related to what he
was hearing from Shimei. His thoughts, I feel confident, were centered on his son Absalom and
the mistake he is making and the end that might come from the rebellion he has begun. Also,
he is likely wondering if the Lord is eventually going to bless him to be able to return to
Jerusalem as king.
4. Hushai, David’s friend, tells Absalom in Jerusalem he will serve him (15-19). The friends of
David were a great blessing to him all of his life—he had the kinds of friends who would risk
their own lives to honor the least significant request David might make. He had to have made
powerful impressions for good on the minds of many people. Here, one of them, Hushai is
endangering his own life pretty much as a spy for David. He will seek to give the kind of advice
that sounds real and genuine and wise, but that will end up in disaster for Absalom. He will send
messages to David as he finds out how Absalom plans to attack.
5. Ahithophel, David’s former counsellor, gives his first advice to Absalom and the design of
it—if followed—is to show all that there will be no reconciliation between David and
Absalom and it would fulfill Nathan’s prophecy (20-23; cf., 12.11). Ahithophel’s counsel is
described in verse 23. Absalom had been able to gain control of the throne and the city of
Jerusalem with no bloodshed. His thoughts now will be toward strengthening himself in the
position he has worked so hard to attain. Ahithophel had served David well and Absalom is wise
to seed advice from him. Ahithophel’s wisdom was widely known in Israel and Absalom knows
that.

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 2 Samuel 16…………..…………...................……………………………………………………………….Page 4 of 7
V. Lessons & Applications.
1. Sometimes reading ahead in Scripture will be helpful in interpreting the Bible text. When David
is allowed to return to Jerusalem, he finds Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel 19:24-30 And
Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor
trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he
came again in peace. (25) And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the
king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me,
Mephibosheth? (26) And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant
said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is
lame. (27) And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as
an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. (28) For all of my father's house were
but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at
thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king? (29) And the
king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba
divide the land. (30) And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as
my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house. The description here of
Mephibosheth does not fit the words David had been told earlier by Ziba.
2. From what Shimei cried out to David, it is obvious that he was unaware of the ways that David
had protected and cared for the family of Saul. He had an entirely inaccurate view of who David
was and how he had treated Saul. It is so easy to judge others and since no man has the ability
to know the thoughts of another person, it often leads to false ideas and conclusions. And yet,
strong emotions and feelings are stirred even in the absence of the true picture. How
dangerous it is to seek to define the thoughts of others!
3. K&D point out the meaning of WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH YOU of verse 10. It signifies that a
person did not wish to have anything in common with the feelings and views of another (cf.,
1 Kings 17.18; Joshua 22.24). David was speaking of his nephews when he made the statement.
He separated himself from the idea of having no understanding at all of the rage of Shimei. For
one thing David thought they could be words directed TO HIM from God; for another, evidently
he grieved along with Shimei because Jonathan was his best friend. There could be times when
we are in the company of someone whose words are so radically different from our own
thoughts that we might remember David’s expression here.
4. David thought of God Almighty as a God who rewards the faithful (v. 12). That is a true and
accurate conception of the God of the Bible, the God of the Universe. How sad it is that so many
people have no accurate way of thinking about our God! That idea ought to motivate a Christian
to study more and more about what God reveals about Himself in Scripture, and to speak more
and more about what he learns to others!
5. It is interesting that the depraved and prideful mind of Absalom could only envision the
statement LONG LIVE THE KING uttered by Hushai to be speaking of himself (v. 17); actually, in
reality Hushai was helping to carry out the will of the Lord to have Absalom defeated and David,
his friend, to come back to the throne.

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VI. Questions.
True or False

01. _____ David had an Archite as a friend.

02. _____ Hushai indicated he would serve Absalom the same way he had served David.
03. _____ Abishai was willing to behead someone throwing stones.
04. _____ As David fled Jerusalem, he had no mighty men to fight with/for him.
05. _____ Mephibosheth left Jerusalem with David.
I Found it in Verse(s)

06. _____ Someone cast dust.

07. _____ Absalom instructed to do something so people would know he was ABHORED of his
father.
08. _____ Passing the top of the hill.
09. _____ David is called a bloody man.
10. _____ Absalom asks a question about kindness.
Short Answer

11. Two questions David asks Ziba.

___________________________________________________________________________
12. Between Hushai and Ahithophel, which gave advice to Absalom first?
___________________________________________________________________________
13. What did David think the Lord might do to/for him as a result of Shimei’s cursing?
___________________________________________________________________________
14. The instruction Shimei shouted twice as he cursed David.
___________________________________________________________________________
15. Who came with Absalom to Jerusalem?
___________________________________________________________________________
Each Question is worth 7 Points
My Score is: ________
Answers will be found on next week’s handout
ANSWERS to 2 Samuel 15 Questions… 01—False, 7; 02—True, 10; 03—False, 17; 04—False, 25;
05—True, 37; 06—34-37; 07—28; 08—18; 09—14; 10—6; 11—beside the way of the gate, 2;
12—concubines, 16; 13—Cherethites, Pelethites, Gittites, 18; 14—Art not thou a seer?, 27; 15—
Jerusalem, 37.

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 2 Samuel 16…………..…………...................……………………………………………………………….Page 6 of 7
VII. Seek-A-Word Puzzle. The words may be backwards, diagonal, upside down, etc. See if you can
find them all. The more you use the words of the Bible, the greater blessed you will be! You might
be surprised at how much this little exercise will help you retain important truths. THANK YOU for
the good effort you are putting forth in Bible study. –DRL 5.82Wx6.32H

ABSALOM AHITHOPHEL BEHOLD CAME COME

COUNSEL CURSE DAVID FATHER FRIEND
FRUIT HAND HILL HOUSE HUNDRED
HUSHAI ISRAEL KING LORD MEPHIBOSHETH
PEOPLE PRESENCE SAID SERVANT SERVE
SHIMEI THEN WENT WHEN ZIBA

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 2 Samuel 16…………..…………...................……………………………………………………………….Page 7 of 7
VIII. Crossword Puzzle.

2 Samuel 16 (KJV): From Your Friends at Maple Hill Church of Christ

3960 Scale RD, Benton, KY 42025 [Link]
1 2 3

8 9

10

11

O
12

13

ACROSS DOWN
04) Describes the king and his people leaving 01) Certain advice is like inquiring at the ____
Jerusalem. of God.
07) Hushai would do this with Absalom. 02) The son of Gera.
08) David was called a man of ____. 03) Word describes Shimei’s tribe.
10) Ziba was his servant. 05) Shimei was throwing them.
11) Adverb describing the beseeching Ziba was 06) Mother of Abishai.
doing. 09) Advisor to both David and Absalom.
12) Hushai argued he should serve in the ____ of 10) Shimei said David was taken in it.
David’s son.
13) R-Word alledgedly used by Mephibosheth
explaining his absence.

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