2 Samuel 16 – Study

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 2 Sam 16:1-4

1 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.’

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 favour in your eyes, my lord the king.’

A. Find Out:

1. Who met David? v.1a
2. What had he brought for David? v.1b
3. Why had he brought them? v.2
4. Where was Mephibosheth? v.3
5. What did David decree? v.4

B. Think:

1. Reread 2 Sam 9:1-13 and also read 2 Sam19:24-29
2. What appears in question over today’s reading? (careful!)
3. What, in the end, did David see, in this reading?

C. Comment:

      In the previous chapter we saw various people wanting to come with David as he rapidly leaves Jerusalem , before Absalom arrives with a larger following. Now we see the incident involving Ziba. Let’s observe two different things: what he did and what he said.

     First, note what Ziba did. He brought an excellent supply of provisions for David as he left. This was a really practical form of help. It wasn’t just him coming; he also brought means of sustaining David on the run.

     Next, note what he said. He first explains the purpose for which he’s brought the things. This shows he’s thought what David is likely to go through. As a good steward (of Mephibosheth’s house) he would be able to foresee the needs of his master. And he’s now done that well for David. That is excellent! But it’s what he says next that is perhaps questionable, his explanation of why his master has not come.

    When David returns after Absalom’s death and Mephibosheth gives his reasons for having stayed, David allows him to live but divides his land and gives half of it to Ziba. There may have been an element of truth in what Mephibosheth says, but the truth is that Ziba did help David in a very practical way and go with David at a time of great need.

D. Application:

1. Do we provide for those we see in need in the church as Jesus instructed us to?
2. May we not attribute wrong motives to others.

Passage: 2 Sam 16:5-14

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! 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?”’

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 Benjaminite! 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. 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

A. Find Out:

1. Who next came and did what? v.5,7,8
2. What more did he do? v.6
3. What did Abishai want to do? v.9
4. What was David’s response to this? v.10
5. What was also his logic? v.11
6. In what did he put his trust? v.12

B. Think:

1. How would you summarize the three main characters in these verses?
2. Read 2 Sam 19:16-23 & 1 Kings 2:8,9
3. What do you understand about David’s feelings towards Shimei?

C. Comment:

     Still on their way fleeing from Jerusalem and from Absalom, David now encounters one who is not friendly, not loyal, Shimei, a Benjamite from Saul’s clan. Without doubt he is a foolish man, for David’s men could have easily killed him. He sees David in his weakness and “kicks him when he’s down”. If we ever have the temptation to do this to others with whom we haven’t got on and who are now looking weak, think again! David will be back and then Shimei will have to act differently. Abishai also represents those who want to use their human strength to beat up those who offend them. We may want to do it just verbally, but it’s still wrong!

     But what about David? Twice he spares this man’s life, here now on the retreat and later when he returns, but that does not mean he absolves this man of his wrongs. It just means that in his wisdom, he knows that for the time being it is more gracious to let this man live, but when he hands the kingdom over to Solomon, that’s another thing. Shimei’s heart is wrong and if he’s left he’ll be a problem to Solomon, so now give him what he deserves. David is an example of grace, wisdom and justice.

D. Application:

1. Don’t kick others while they are down. Pray for them instead.
2. Don’t retaliate when others are unChrist-like. Leave them for the Lord to deal with. He does a better job than you!

NB. Remaining Ch 16 Study seen with next chapter