Just over the mountain, David met Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant (v1) who was ordered by David to look after Saul’s remaining grandson’s property because he wanted to show kindness for Jonathan’s sake (chapter 9). Mephibosheth was lame on both his feet. Mephibosheth was overwhelmed at David’s kindness and David ordered that Mephibosheth should eat at the king’s table.
Ziba had with him a large amount of food and donkeys which he said are for the king (v2). David, more interested in people than things, asked where Mephibosheth was. Ziba answered, “…. Staying in Jerusalem, for he said, “Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.”” This seemed to be saying that Mephibosheth was expecting David and Absalom to forfeit the kingdom, probably through their infighting, and restore it to Saul’s family (v3,4). I find this a little confusing because Mephibosheth ate at David’s table. I presume he didn’t live in the palace but spent time in his own place. David is clearly uncertain of the extent of the loyalties of the people and assumes that Mephibosheth has sided with Absalom like others who were David’s friends. He acts on the information Ziba gives but it transpires in chapter 19 that this was untrue and that Ziba was looking after his own future at the expense of Mephibosheth. Amid the confusion David confers all of Mephibosheth’s property to Ziba and Ziba bows to the king. We will return to this in chapter 19.
In v5 David and his men came to Bahurim and met another man of the house of Saul, named Shimei who approached them cursing and throwing stones at them. He accused David of being a killer and a rogue (v7) and that The LORD was repaying David for his treatment of Saul and his family. Nothing could be further from the truth of course. David had never laid a finger on Saul or his household save to show mercy and kindness. Shimei was thoroughly offensive and was saying that David was suffering because of his dealings with Saul and was getting his comeuppance from his own son, Absalom. Saul had brought ruin to his own family, not David. David was indeed suffering but not for the reason Shimei was stating. David had brought enough trouble on to his own family without suggesting it was the way he had treated Saul (v5-8).
David was low enough with Absalom’s behaviour in making himself king, but he didn’t deserve this. Shimei was typical of many today who ‘put the knife in when someone is down’.
Abishai, one of David’s men requested that he be allowed to ‘take off Shimei’s head’, saying “How can this dead dog curse the King?” (v9). In his loyalty to David, I suppose it was a natural reaction, but David was having none of of it and said to his men, “Let him curse …. See how my son …. Seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him …. It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing….” He was prepared to leave it to the LORD to deal with Shimei. It was important that David did what was right even in the circumstances (v9-14). David was content to let Shemei curse him if God had told him to do so, he was prepared to give Shemei the benefit of the doubt. “A soft answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). Had God really told Shemei to curse David? Well, David knew that he wasn’t perfect and that he was a sinner and, therefore, if God had told Shemei to curse him, God would be right.
David was content to throw himself upon the mercy of God. He knew that God alone could forgive him and restore him. David was prepared to accept that Shimei may have been instructed by God. He could have launched into a defence of himself and shown Shimei that God wouldn’t do that. However, he knew his place before God and
was open to God’s correction. David and his people being weary, refreshed themselves there at Bahurim. He is able to receive comfort because God is in control although at times David didn’t display that.
Do we react angrily to what people say against and about us, or are we prepared to leave the outcome in God’s hands? David knew that he was a sinner – in Psalm 51 he confessed his sin and requested that God, “Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.” He requested a new heart and acknowledged that only God could do it. It needed ‘creating’ and only God could ‘create’. He is the Creator God Himself. Repair wasn’t sufficient. God says “I will give you a new heart and put a right spirit within you. I will take away the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you….” (Ezekiel 36:26,27) This is not a patch up job, but a new heart. That’s what we need, and as Christians, born again by The Spirit of God, we receive a new heart – new aims, new motives, new actions, new life. Is it obvious in every one of us?
Meanwhile (v15) Absalom and his followers had come to Jerusalem, no doubt thinking he had made it. His father had run away in fear, his father’s followers had gone too, so it was all left for him to take over as king. But being king was not his prerogative, God chose the king and if he wasn’t God’s choice, he was an imposter. Circumstances
seemed to indicate that he had made it, not only did he have Ahithophel, but now Hushai, two of David’s finest counsellors, or so he thought!
Hushai’s defection from David was a surprise to Absalom and in v17 he questioned Hushai on this very point by asking him about what happened to his loyalty to his friend, David (v15-19). What hypocrisy! Absalom hadn’t appeared to ask Ahithophel the same question and he seems to be the one David mourned over in Psalm 55 as the one so close to David who had deserted him and defected to the other side. Hushai pledges his loyalty, but his words could be taken two ways – but Absalom in his pride is just pleased to have him there. Hushai knows he is there for a reason, sent by David (15:32-34) to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel, what we would call, a spy. Ahithophel’s counsel was always profound – v23 says that it was if he spoke the words of God. He was clever and wise whether advising David or Absalom. Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather – Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam (2 Samuel 11:3) who was the son of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 23:34). Maybe Ahithophel had turned against David in retaliation for his treatment of Bathsheba and Uriah?
Ahithophel is an important person in Absalom’s schemes and plans and immediately (v20) Absalom asks him what to do next. Ahithophel advises Absalom to go in to his father’s concubines who he had left to keep the house. His advice was to care for them and husband them – that’s what they had concubines for. They were not part of God’s plan but ‘everyone was doing it’ – these women had been left behind by David to look after the palace. Absalom was to go and look after them to make it appear that he was a caring man, whereas his father had abandoned them. This would enhance his popularity among the people (v20-23). However, this was a fulfilment of Nathan’s prophecy against David in 2 Samuel 12:11 – that, not only would adversity come from his own house, but his wives would be given to a neighbour who would lie around with them openly.
This dreadful act said a lot about Absalom, who actually did it. Not only that but it displayed Ahithophel’s character, who must have had a strange sense of satisfaction in seeing David’s women violated in a similar way to how his granddaughter Bathsheba was violated. If that was so, it was out of bitterness. It was simply to turn David against Absalom and cause the people to take sides, the strong overcoming the weak.
Bitterness should have no part in the Christian’s life and actions. A true Christian should exhibit the fruit of The Spirit, which includes love, peace, longsuffering and self-control, and none of which breaks the law.
This would signify Absalom’s assumption of royal power as well as showing his contempt for his father. It was customary for new kings to assume the harem of their predecessor (2 Samuel 12:8) it was of great significance – Abner tried it in 2 Samuel 3 and later Adonijah (1 Kings 2) in their attempt to become king, but none of them became king.
Hushai was sent by David to contradict Ahithophel’s counsel and his advice would be necessary as someone on the inside of Absalom’s counsel. Hushai lied to Absalom hiding his true intentions.
