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2 Samuel 16
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised
2 Samuel 16
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised
Ziba Helps David
16 When David had gone a little beyond the summit,[a] Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant,(A) was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a clay jar of wine. 2 The king said to Ziba, ‘Why do you have these? ’
Ziba answered, ‘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 for those to drink who become exhausted in the wilderness.’
3 ‘Where is your master’s grandson? ’ the king asked.
‘Why, he’s staying in Jerusalem,’ Ziba replied to the king, ‘for he said, “Today, the house of Israel will restore my grandfather’s kingdom to me.” ’(B)
4 The king said to Ziba, ‘All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours! ’(C)
‘I bow before you,’ Ziba said. ‘May I find favour with you, my lord the king! ’
Shimei Curses David
5 When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out.(D) His name was Shimei son of Gera,(E) and he was yelling curses as he approached. 6 He threw stones at David and at all the royal[b] servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left. 7 Shimei said as he cursed, ‘Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man!(F) 8 The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed! ’
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘Why should this dead dog(G) curse my lord the king?(H) Let me go over and remove his head! ’
10 The king replied, ‘Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?(I) He curses(J) me this way because the Lord[c] told him, “Curse David! ”(K) Therefore, who can say, “Why did you do that? ” ’ 11 Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, ‘Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood,[d] intends to take my life(L) – how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to. 12 Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction[e] and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.’ 13 So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, threw stones at him, and kicked up dust. 14 Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived[f] exhausted, so they rested there.
Absalom’s Advisers
15 Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was also with him. 16 When David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, ‘Long live the king! Long live the king! ’(M)
17 ‘Is this your loyalty to your friend? ’ Absalom asked Hushai. ‘Why didn’t you go with your friend? ’
18 ‘Not at all,’ Hushai answered Absalom. ‘I am on the side of the one that the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him. 19 Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, I will also serve in yours.’(N)
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, ‘Give me your advice. What should we do? ’
21 Ahithophel replied to Absalom, ‘Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace.(O) When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged.’[g] 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.(P)
23 Now the advice Ahithophel gave in those days was like someone asking about a word from God(Q) – such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.
Footnotes
- 16:1 = Mount of Olives
- 16:6 Lit all King David’s
- 16:10 Alt Hb tradition reads If he curses, and if the Lord
- 16:11 Lit son who came from my belly
- 16:12 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg; one Hb tradition reads iniquity; alt Hb tradition reads eyes; another Hb tradition reads will look with his eye
- 16:14 LXX adds at the Jordan
- 16:21 Lit father, the hands of everyone with you will be strong
2 Samuel 16
New King James Version
2 Samuel 16
New King James Version
Mephibosheth’s Servant
16 When(A) David was a little past the top of the mountain, there was (B)Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth, who met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. 2 And the king said to Ziba, “What do you mean to do with these?”
So Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for (C)those who are faint in the wilderness to drink.”
3 Then the king said, “And where is your (D)master’s son?”
(E)And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.’ ”
4 So the king said to Ziba, “Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.”
And Ziba said, “I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!”
Shimei Curses David
5 Now when King David came to (F)Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was (G)Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You [a]bloodthirsty man, (H)you [b]rogue! 8 The Lord has (I)brought upon you all (J)the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a [c]bloodthirsty man!”
9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this (K)dead dog (L)curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!”
10 But the king said, (M)“What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because (N)the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ (O)Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”
11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how (P)my son who (Q)came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him. 12 It may be that the Lord will look on [d]my affliction, and that the Lord will (R)repay me with (S)good for his cursing this day.” 13 And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and [e]kicked up dust. 14 Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.
The Advice of Ahithophel
15 Meanwhile (T)Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him. 16 And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, (U)David’s friend, came to Absalom, that (V)Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17 So Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? (W)Why did you not go with your friend?”
18 And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19 Furthermore, (X)whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”
20 Then Absalom said to (Y)Ahithophel, “Give advice as to what we should do.”
21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s (Z)concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you (AA)are abhorred by your father. Then (AB)the hands of all who are with you will be strong.” 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines (AC)in the sight of all Israel.
23 Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel (AD)both with David and with Absalom.
Footnotes
- 2 Samuel 16:7 Lit. man of bloodshed
- 2 Samuel 16:7 worthless man
- 2 Samuel 16:8 Lit. man of bloodshed
- 2 Samuel 16:12 So with Kt., LXX, Syr., Vg.; Qr. my eyes; Tg. tears of my eyes
- 2 Samuel 16:13 Lit. dusted him with dust
2 Samuelsboken 16
Swedish New Living Bible (Nya Levande Bibeln)
2 Samuelsboken 16
Swedish New Living Bible (Nya Levande Bibeln)
Siba förenar sig med David
16 David hade just hunnit bortom kullens topp, där Siba, den ansvarige tjänaren över Mefibofets hus, stod och väntade på honom. Han ledde ett antal åsnor lastade med tvåhundra brödkakor, hundra russinkakor, hundra fruktkakor och en skinnsäck med vin.
2 Kungen frågade: Vem ska ha allt detta? Siba svarade: Åsnorna är åt ditt folk att rida på, brödet och fruktkakorna åt dina män som proviant, och vinet är till för dem som blir utmattade av ökenvandringen.
3 Men var är Mefiboset? frågade kungen.Han stannade i Jerusalem, svarade Siba. Han tänker nog bli kung och få tillbaka sin far Sauls rike.
4 Då sa kungen: Om det är på det sättet, så får du överta allt han äger.Då ska jag tacka dig av hela mitt hjärta, svarade Siba.
Simei förbannar David
5 När David och hans sällskap gick förbi Bahurim, kom en man ut från byn och förbannade dem. Han hette Simei, son till Gera och släkt med Saul.
6 Han kastade sten på kungen och hans officerare, trots att de på alla sidor var omgivna av soldater.
7-8 Ge dig iväg härifrån, din mördare och skurk! ropade han till David. Herren ska hämnas på dig, för att du mördade kung Saul och hans familj. Du stal hans tron, och nu har Herren gett den till din son Absalom. Äntligen får du smaka lite av din egen medicin, din mördare!
9 Varför ska en sådan få förbanna Ers Majestät? frågade Abisai. Ska jag hugga huvudet av honom?
10 Nej, sa kungen. Lägg dig inte i det här! Om Herren har sagt till honom att förbanna mig, varför ska jag då hindra honom?
11 Min egen son försöker ju döda mig, så varför ska vi bry oss om en benjaminit som bara förbannar mig? Lämna honom ifred, för utan tvivel har Herren sagt till honom att göra detta!
12 Och kanske kommer Herren att se till min situation, och då kommer han att välsigna mig i stället för att förbanna.
13 David och hans män fortsatte framåt medan Simei höll jämna steg med dem vid sidan om vägen. Han förbannade dem och kastade sten och jord på David.
14 När kungen och hans sällskap nådde sitt mål var de mycket trötta och stannade för att vila ut.
Absalom griper makten
15 Under tiden hade Absalom och hans män kommit till Jerusalem tillsammans med Ahitofel.
16 När Davids vän arkiten Husai kom till staden gick han omedelbart för att träffa Absalom. Länge leve kungen! utropade han. Länge leve kungen!
17 Är det så här du behandlar din vän David? frågade Absalom honom. Varför är du inte tillsammans med honom?
18 Därför att jag arbetar för den man som är utvald av Herren och av Israel, svarade Husai.
19 Och varför skulle jag inte göra det? Jag hjälpte din far, och nu vill jag hjälpa dig!
20 Då vände sig Absalom till Ahitofel och frågade honom: Vad ska jag göra härnäst?
21 Ahitofel sa till honom: Gå och ligg med de av din fars bihustrur, som han har lämnat kvar här att sköta palatset. Låt hela Israel se hur du förolämpar honom. Det kommer att stärka din ställning.
22 Då satte man upp ett tält på palatsets tak som alla kunde se, och där låg Absalom med sin fars bihustrur.
23 Absalom gjorde allt vad Ahitofel sa, precis som David hade gjort. Hans råd ansågs nämligen komma direkt från Herren.
2 Samuel 16
Christian Standard Bible
2 Samuel 16
Christian Standard Bible
Ziba Helps David
16 When David had gone a little beyond the summit,[a] Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant,(A) was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred bunches of summer fruit, and a clay jar of wine. 2 The king said to Ziba, “Why do you have these?”
Ziba answered, “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 for those to drink who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
3 “Where is your master’s grandson?” the king asked.
“Why, he’s staying in Jerusalem,” Ziba replied to the king, “for he said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore my grandfather’s kingdom to me.’”(B)
4 The king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” (C)
“I bow before you,” Ziba said. “May I find favor with you, my lord the king!”
Shimei Curses David
5 When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out.(D) His name was Shimei son of Gera,(E) and he was yelling curses as he approached. 6 He threw stones at David and at all the royal[b] servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left. 7 Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man!(F) 8 The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed!”
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog(G) curse my lord the king?(H) Let me go over and remove his head!”
10 The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?(I) He curses(J) me this way because the Lord[c] told him, ‘Curse David!’ (K) Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that?’” 11 Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood,[d] intends to take my life(L)—how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the Lord has told him to. 12 Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction[e] and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.” 13 So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, threw stones at him, and kicked up dust. 14 Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived[f] exhausted, so they rested there.
Absalom’s Advisers
15 Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was also with him. 16 When David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” (M)
17 “Is this your loyalty to your friend?” Absalom asked Hushai. “Why didn’t you go with your friend?”
18 “Not at all,” Hushai answered Absalom. “I am on the side of the one that the Lord, this people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him. 19 Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father’s presence, I will also serve in yours.”(N)
20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me your advice. What should we do?”
21 Ahithophel replied to Absalom, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace.(O) When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged.”[g] 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.(P)
23 Now the advice Ahithophel gave in those days was like someone asking about a word from God(Q)—such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice.
Footnotes
- 16:1 = Mount of Olives
- 16:6 Lit all King David’s
- 16:10 Alt Hb tradition reads If he curses, and if the Lord
- 16:11 Lit son who came from my belly
- 16:12 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg; one Hb tradition reads iniquity; alt Hb tradition reads eyes; another Hb tradition reads will look with his eye
- 16:14 LXX adds at the Jordan
- 16:21 Lit father, the hands of everyone with you will be strong
2 Samuel 16
New International Version
2 Samuel 16
New International Version
David and Ziba
16 When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba,(A) 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.(B)
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(C) those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
3 The king then asked, “Where is your master’s grandson?”(D)
Ziba(E) 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(F) 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,(G) a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei(H) son of Gera, and he cursed(I) 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.(J) The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”(K)
9 Then Abishai(L) son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog(M) curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”(N)
10 But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?(O) If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”(P)
11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son,(Q) 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.(R) 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery(S) and restore to me his covenant blessing(T) instead of his curse today.(U)”
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.(V) And there he refreshed himself.
The Advice of Ahithophel and Hushai
15 Meanwhile, Absalom(W) and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel(X) was with him. 16 Then Hushai(Y) 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?”(Z)
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.”(AA)
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.(AB)
23 Now in those days the advice(AC) Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David(AD) and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.
Christian Standard Bible Anglicised (CSBA)
Copyright © 2024 by Holman Bible Publishers.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Swedish New Living Bible (Nya Levande Bibeln) (SVL)
Copyright © 1974, 1977, 1987, 1995, 2003, 2004 by Biblica
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.