When David had gone a little beyond the summit , Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth 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.
“ Why do you have these ? ” asked the king - -. 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. ”
“ Where is your master’s grandson ? ” asked the king. And Ziba answered - - , “ Indeed , he is staying in Jerusalem , for he has said , ‘ Today , the house of Israel - will restore the kingdom of my grandfather. ’”
So the king said to Ziba , “ All that (belongs) vvv to Mephibosheth is now yours “ I humbly bow before you , ” said Ziba. “ May I find favor in your eyes , my lord the king ! ”
As King David approached ... Bahurim , a man from the family of the house of Saul was just ... coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera , and as he approached ... , he kept yelling out curses.
He threw stones ... - at David - and at all the servants of the king , though the troops and all the mighty men (were) on David’s ... right and left.
And as he yelled curses , Shimei said , “ Get out , get out , you worthless man of bloodshed ... !
The LORD has paid you back ... for all the blood of the house of Saul , in whose place you have reigned , and the LORD has delivered - the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See , you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed ! ”
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king , “ Why should this - dead dog curse my lord the king ? Let me go over ... and cut off his head ... ! ” -
But the king replied , “ What O sons of Zeruiah ? If he curses me because the LORD told ‘ Curse - David , ’ who can ask , ‘ Why did you do this ? ’”
Then David said to Abishai ... and to all his servants , “ Behold , my own son , - - my own flesh and blood , seeks - my life. - How much more , then , vvv (this) Benjamite ! Leave him alone and let him curse me , for the LORD has told so.
Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay ... with good for the cursing (I receive) today .... ”
So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went , he yelled curses , threw stones , ... and flung dust at (David).
Finally, the king and all the people - with him arrived , exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
Then Absalom and all ... the men of Israel came to Jerusalem , and Ahithophel (was) with him.
And - David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said - to (him) , “ Long live the king ! Long live the king ! ”
“ Is this the loyalty (you show) your friend ? ” Absalom replied ... .... “ Why did you not go with your friend ? ”
“ Not at all , ” Hushai ... answered -. “ For the one chosen by the LORD , by the people , and by all the men of Israel — his I will be , and with him I will remain.
Furthermore , whom should I serve if not the son ? As I served in your father’s presence , so also I will serve ... in yours. ”
Then Absalom said to Ahithophel , “ Give me counsel. What should we do ? ”
Ahithophel replied - - , “ Sleep with ... your father’s concubines , whom he has left to keep the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father , then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened. ”
So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof , and he slept with ... his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.
Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel - - was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.