As David fled Jerusalem, Find Favor in Your Eyes, the rebellion against him continued to grow. Along the journey he encountered both kindness and hostility, forcing him to depend completely upon the Lord rather than human strength. Meanwhile, Absalom established himself in Jerusalem and sought counsel that would deepen the division within David’s family. This chapter reveals the destructive power of pride, deception, and sinful counsel, while demonstrating that God’s sovereign plan continues to unfold even when evil appears to prevail.
Obedience • Faith • Pride • Israel • Deceit • Grace • Concubines • Redemption Plan • Jesus Christ
📖 2 Samuel 16:1–2 (NIV)
“16 When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, 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.
“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 those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
When David asked where Mephibosheth was, Ziba claimed that he had remained in Jerusalem hoping the kingdom of Saul would be restored to him. Believing Ziba’s report, David transferred Mephibosheth’s property to Ziba. Although David acted with the information he had received, the full truth would not become known until later.
As David continued his journey, he encountered Shimei, a relative of Saul’s family. Shimei openly cursed David, threw stones, and accused him of bloodshed and injustice. Abishai immediately offered to silence Shimei by killing him, but David refused.
Instead, David accepted the humiliation with remarkable humility, saying that perhaps the Lord had allowed these insults and that God might yet show him mercy. David trusted that the Lord alone would judge rightly and restore His blessing according to His will.
📖 2 Samuel 16:3–7 (NIV)
“3 The king then asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?”
Ziba 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 is now yours.”
“I humbly bow,” Ziba said. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”
“5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed 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!”
His pride drove him to dishonor his father, violate God’s commands, and pursue a kingdom that had never been promised to him.
Pride elevates self while rejecting God’s rule, always leading toward destruction.
📖 2 Samuel 16:8–10 (NIV)
“8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”
“9 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.”
“10 But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’
Rather than seeking personal revenge,
David accepted humiliation with humility, believing that God alone would judge rightly.
Faith often requires trusting God even when falsely accused.
📖 2 Samuel 16:11–13 (NIV)
“11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, 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. 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
“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.”
Ziba deceived David for personal gain, while Hushai used wisdom to protect God’s anointed king.
This chapter reminds us that human deception may influence events for a season, but God’s truth ultimately prevails.
📖 2 Samuel 16:14–16 (NIV)
“14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.”
“15 Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. 16 Then Hushai the Arkite, David’s confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
Ahithophel’s counsel encouraged Absalom to deepen his rebellion through public immorality.
Instead of turning from sin, Absalom embraced even greater wickedness.
Scripture repeatedly shows that unconfessed sin grows until it destroys lives, families, and nations.
📖 2 Samuel 16:17–19 (NIV)
“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?”
“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.”
Even the rebellion itself fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through Nathan.
Nothing that happened surprised God, and no human plan could overturn His purposes.
📖 2 Samuel 16:20–23 (NIV)
“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.”
“23 Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.”
Ahithophel’s advice appeared politically brilliant, yet it directly opposed God’s righteousness.
Despite betrayal, false accusations, family division, and national rebellion, God’s covenant with David remained secure.
The Lord had promised that David’s house would endure according to His purpose. Human pride and sinful decisions could delay peace, but they could never cancel God’s promises.
Throughout every trial, the Lord continued directing history toward the fulfillment of His everlasting covenant.
Pride leads people away from God’s authority.
Humility trusts God even during false accusations.
Deception may succeed temporarily but never overcomes God’s truth.
Sin grows deeper when it is left unchecked.
Wise decisions must always be measured by God’s Word.
God remains sovereign even when evil appears victorious.
The Lord’s covenant cannot be broken by human rebellion.
God’s grace continues to guide His people through difficult seasons.
David endured rejection, false accusations, betrayal, and public humiliation while trusting completely in the Father’s will.
These events foreshadow the greater suffering of Jesus Christ, who was also rejected by His own people, falsely accused, betrayed by a trusted companion, and publicly shamed.
Unlike Absalom, who sought a throne through pride and rebellion, Jesus received His eternal kingdom through perfect obedience, humility, and sacrifice.
Through Christ, God’s covenant reaches its complete fulfillment, offering forgiveness, grace, and everlasting life to all who place their faith in Him.
