Bible Commentaries
2 Samuel 16

Introduction

Overview

2 Samuel 16:1, Ziba, by presents and false suggestions, obtains his master’s inheritance; 2 Samuel 16:5, At Bahurim Shimei curse David; 2 Samuel 16:9, David with patience abstains, and restrains others, from revenge; 2 Samuel 16:15, Hushai insinuates himself into Absalom’s counsel; 2 Samuel 16:20, Ahithophel’s counsel.

Verse 1

little past: 2 Samuel 15:30, 2 Samuel 15:32

Ziba: 2 Samuel 9:2, 2 Samuel 9:9-12

with a couple: 2 Samuel 17:27-29, 2 Samuel 19:32, 1 Samuel 17:17, 1 Samuel 17:18, 1 Samuel 25:18, 1 Chronicles 12:40, Proverbs 18:16, Proverbs 29:4, Proverbs 29:5

summer: These were probably pumpkins, cucumbers, or water-melons; the two latter being extensively used in the East to refresh travellers in the burning heat of the summer; and probably, as Mr. Harmer supposes, called summer fruits on this very account. Jeremiah 40:10, Jeremiah 40:12, Amos 8:1, Micah 7:1

a bottle: 1 Samuel 10:3, 1 Samuel 16:20

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 9:11 - According 2 Samuel 17:28 - beds 2 Samuel 19:17 - Ziba Psalms 7:1 - words Psalms 118:18 - chastened Proverbs 17:8 - whithersoever Proverbs 18:17 - General Proverbs 30:10 - Accuse not Amos 8:2 - A basket

Verse 2

What meanest: Genesis 21:29, Genesis 33:8, Ezekiel 37:18, The asses. This is the eastern mode of speaking when presenting anything to a great man: "This is for the slaves of the servants of your majesty;" when at the same time the presents are intended for the sovereign himself, and it is so understood. 2 Samuel 15:1, 2 Samuel 19:26, Judges 5:10, Judges 10:4

for the young: 1 Samuel 25:27

that such: 2 Samuel 15:23, 2 Samuel 17:29, Judges 8:4, Judges 8:5, 1 Samuel 14:28, Proverbs 31:6, Proverbs 31:7

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:15 - I have not 1 Samuel 16:20 - an ass laden 2 Samuel 15:28 - General 2 Samuel 17:28 - beds Amos 8:2 - A basket Matthew 21:5 - sitting John 12:15 - sitting

Verse 3

where is: 2 Samuel 9:9, 2 Samuel 9:10, Psalms 88:18, Micah 7:5

day: 2 Samuel 19:24-30, Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 19:18, Deuteronomy 19:19, Psalms 15:3, Psalms 101:5, Proverbs 1:19, Proverbs 21:28, 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 Timothy 6:10, Jude 1:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:1 - shalt not 2 Samuel 19:26 - I will saddle 2 Samuel 19:27 - slandered

Verse 4

Behold: 2 Samuel 14:10, 2 Samuel 14:11, Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 19:15, Proverbs 18:13, Proverbs 18:17, Proverbs 19:2

I humbly beseech thee: Heb. I do obeisance, 2 Samuel 14:4, 2 Samuel 14:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:5 - may find Genesis 33:15 - find grace Ruth 2:13 - Let me find 2 Samuel 9:9 - I have given 2 Samuel 14:8 - I will give 2 Samuel 21:7 - Mephibosheth

Verse 5

Bahurim: This place is supposed to be the same as Almon - Joshua 21:18, and Almeth - 1 Chronicles 6:60, a city of Benjamin, north of Jerusalem, and apparently not far from Olivet. 2 Samuel 16:14, 2 Samuel 3:16, 2 Samuel 17:18

whose name: 2 Samuel 19:16-18, 1 Kings 2:8, 1 Kings 2:9, 1 Kings 2:36-44, 1 Kings 2:45, 1 Kings 2:46

he came: etc. or, he still came forth and cursed

cursed: Exodus 22:28, 1 Samuel 17:43, Psalms 69:26, Psalms 109:16-19, Psalms 109:28, Proverbs 26:2, Ecclesiastes 10:20, Isaiah 8:21, Matthew 5:11, Matthew 5:12

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 16:13 - cursed 2 Samuel 19:19 - did perversely 2 Samuel 19:20 - Joseph 2 Samuel 19:21 - cursed 1 Kings 2:44 - Thou knowest 1 Chronicles 5:4 - Shimei 1 Chronicles 6:42 - Shimei Esther 2:5 - the son of Shimei Job 30:11 - loosed Job 31:29 - General Psalms 144:11 - and deliver me Proverbs 17:11 - General Proverbs 19:19 - man Proverbs 24:17 - General Isaiah 3:5 - base Zechariah 12:13 - Shimei James 3:9 - therewith curse

Verse 6

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 16:13 - cursed Proverbs 19:19 - man

Verse 7

bloody man: Heb. man of blood, 2 Samuel 3:37, 2 Samuel 11:15-17, 2 Samuel 12:9, Psalms 5:6, Psalms 51:14

man of Belial: Deuteronomy 13:13, 1 Samuel 2:12, 1 Samuel 25:17, 1 Kings 21:10, 1 Kings 21:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 4:25 - a bloody Numbers 16:41 - Ye have 2 Samuel 19:21 - cursed Psalms 3:2 - no Psalms 7:3 - if I Psalms 26:9 - bloody men Psalms 27:12 - false Psalms 38:12 - speak Psalms 39:8 - make Psalms 55:3 - for they Psalms 89:51 - footsteps Psalms 109:3 - compassed Psalms 119:22 - Remove Psalms 119:42 - have wherewith Proverbs 17:26 - to strike Matthew 5:22 - Whosoever

Verse 8

returned: Judges 9:24, Judges 9:56, Judges 9:57, 1 Kings 2:32, 1 Kings 2:33, Acts 28:4, Acts 28:5, Revelation 16:6

the blood: 2 Samuel 1:16, 2 Samuel 3:28, 2 Samuel 3:29, 2 Samuel 4:8-12, Psalms 3:2, Psalms 4:2

thou: etc. or, thee in thy evil

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:41 - Ye have Deuteronomy 21:7 - General Psalms 5:6 - the bloody Psalms 7:3 - if I Psalms 27:12 - false Psalms 38:12 - speak Psalms 39:8 - make Psalms 55:3 - for they Psalms 89:51 - footsteps Psalms 109:3 - compassed Psalms 119:22 - Remove Psalms 119:42 - have wherewith Proverbs 17:26 - to strike

Verse 9

Abishai: 2 Samuel 3:30, 1 Samuel 26:6-8

dead dog: 2 Samuel 3:8, 2 Samuel 9:8, 1 Samuel 24:14

curse: Exodus 22:28, Acts 23:5, 1 Peter 2:17

let me go: 1 Samuel 26:6-11, Job 31:30, Job 31:31, Jeremiah 40:13-16

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:43 - Am 1 Chronicles 2:16 - the sons of 1 Chronicles 18:12 - Moreover

Verse 10

What have: 2 Samuel 3:39, 2 Samuel 19:22, 1 Kings 2:5, Matthew 16:23, Luke 9:54-56, 1 Peter 2:23

so let him: Genesis 50:20, 1 Kings 22:21-23, 2 Kings 18:25, Lamentations 3:38, Lamentations 3:39, John 18:11

Who shall: Job 9:12, Ecclesiastes 8:4, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:51 - hath Genesis 45:5 - God Exodus 21:13 - God 1 Samuel 3:18 - It is the Lord 1 Samuel 26:6 - to Abishai 2 Samuel 10:12 - the Lord 2 Samuel 19:19 - did perversely 2 Samuel 24:1 - moved 1 Kings 17:18 - What have I 1 Chronicles 19:13 - let the Lord 2 Chronicles 35:21 - What Job 31:31 - the men Psalms 38:13 - General Psalms 39:9 - General Psalms 109:28 - Let them Ecclesiastes 7:21 - unto Song of Solomon 5:6 - my soul Matthew 8:29 - What John 2:4 - what

Verse 11

Behold: 2 Samuel 12:11, 2 Samuel 12:12

came forth: 2 Samuel 7:2, Genesis 15:4

seeketh: 2 Samuel 17:1-4, 2 Kings 19:37, 2 Chronicles 32:21, Matthew 10:21

the Lord: Isaiah 10:5-7, Ezekiel 14:9, Ezekiel 20:25

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 26:19 - stirred 2 Samuel 10:12 - the Lord 2 Samuel 18:5 - Deal gently 1 Kings 11:23 - God 1 Kings 12:16 - So Israel 1 Chronicles 19:13 - let the Lord 2 Chronicles 10:16 - So all Israel Esther 2:21 - and sought Psalms 25:19 - Consider Psalms 27:10 - When Psalms 109:16 - slay Psalms 131:2 - quieted Jeremiah 34:22 - I will command Jeremiah 50:21 - and do Micah 7:6 - son Micah 7:9 - bear Matthew 10:36 - General 1 Timothy 1:9 - murderers Philemon 1:12 - mine

Verse 12

the Lord: Genesis 29:32, Genesis 29:33, Exodus 2:24, Exodus 2:25, Exodus 3:7, Exodus 3:8, 1 Samuel 1:11, Psalms 25:18

affliction: or, tears, Heb. eye

requite: Deuteronomy 23:5, Isaiah 27:7, Matthew 5:11, Matthew 5:12, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Hebrews 12:10, 1 Peter 4:12-19

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:30 - peradventure Deuteronomy 26:7 - looked 1 Samuel 14:6 - it may be 2 Kings 19:4 - the Lord Job 1:21 - taken away Psalms 39:12 - hold Psalms 42:3 - tears Psalms 109:16 - slay Psalms 119:132 - Look Psalms 131:2 - quieted Proverbs 20:22 - wait Proverbs 25:22 - the Lord Proverbs 26:2 - so Isaiah 37:4 - It may Isaiah 37:17 - hear Lamentations 1:9 - behold Amos 5:15 - it may Obadiah 1:13 - looked Micah 7:9 - bear Zechariah 9:8 - for Mark 9:24 - with

Verse 13

cursed: 2 Samuel 16:5, 2 Samuel 16:6

cast dust: Heb. dusted him with dust, Acts 23:23, It was an ancient custom, in those warm and arid countries, to lay the dust before a person of distinction, by sprinkling the ground with water. Dr. Pococke and the consul were treated with this respect when they entered Cairo. The same custom is alluded to in the well-known fable of Phedrus, in which a slave is represented going before Augustus and officiously laying the dust. To throw dust in the air while a person was passing was therefore an act of great disrespect; to do so before a sovereign prince, an indecent outrage. But it is probable that Shimei meant more than disrespect and outrage to this afflicted king. Sir John Chardin informs us, that in the East, in general, those who demand justice against a criminal throw dust upon him, signifying that he ought to be put in the grave, and hence the common imprecation among the Turks and Persians, "Be covered with earth," or, "Earth be upon thy head.

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:21 - cursed

Verse 14

there: 2 Samuel 16:5

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 17:2 - weary 2 Samuel 17:29 - in the wilderness

Verse 15

Absalom: 2 Samuel 15:37

Reciprocal: Psalms 3:1 - how

Verse 16

God save the king: Heb. let the king live, 1 Samuel 10:24, 1 Kings 1:25, 1 Kings 1:34, 2 Kings 11:12, Daniel 2:4, Daniel 5:10, Daniel 6:6, Daniel 6:21, Matthew 21:9

Reciprocal: Joshua 16:2 - Archi 1 Samuel 28:2 - Surely 2 Samuel 15:32 - Hushai 2 Samuel 15:34 - as I have been 2 Samuel 15:37 - friend 2 Samuel 17:5 - Hushai 1 Kings 4:5 - the king's 1 Chronicles 27:33 - Hushai 2 Chronicles 23:11 - God save the king Proverbs 27:14 - He that

Verse 17

Is this thy: Deuteronomy 32:6

why wentest: 2 Samuel 15:32-37, 2 Samuel 19:25, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 18:24

Reciprocal: Judges 16:15 - when thine 1 Samuel 19:14 - she said 1 Chronicles 27:33 - companion Matthew 26:50 - Friend Mark 14:37 - Simon

Verse 18

2 Samuel 5:1-3, 1 Samuel 16:13

Reciprocal: Joshua 2:4 - General 1 Samuel 29:8 - that I may not 1 Kings 2:15 - Thou knowest 2 Kings 6:19 - I will bring

Verse 19

should I not serve: 2 Samuel 15:34, 1 Samuel 28:2, 1 Samuel 29:8, Psalms 55:21, Galatians 2:13

Reciprocal: Joshua 2:4 - General 2 Kings 6:19 - I will bring

Verse 20

Give counsel: Exodus 1:10, Psalms 2:2, Psalms 37:12, Psalms 37:13, Proverbs 21:30, Isaiah 8:10, Isaiah 29:15, Matthew 27:1, Acts 4:23-28

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 15:12 - Ahithophel 1 Kings 12:6 - consulted 2 Chronicles 10:6 - What counsel Psalms 43:1 - the deceitful Psalms 86:14 - assemblies Isaiah 5:18 - draw James 3:6 - a world

Verse 21

Go in: Genesis 6:4, Genesis 38:16

unto thy: 2 Samuel 12:11, 2 Samuel 15:16, 2 Samuel 20:3, Genesis 35:22, Leviticus 18:8, Leviticus 20:11, 1 Kings 2:17, 1 Kings 2:22, 1 Corinthians 5:1

abhorred: Genesis 34:30, 1 Samuel 13:4

thy father: Genesis 49:3, Genesis 49:4

then shall: 1 Samuel 27:12

the hands: 2 Samuel 2:7, Zechariah 8:13

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 3:7 - gone in 2 Samuel 13:5 - Lay thee 1 Kings 2:21 - Let Abishag 1 Kings 11:25 - abhorred Esther 2:4 - the thing Esther 5:14 - the thing Psalms 55:10 - mischief Psalms 71:4 - out of the Proverbs 6:29 - he that Jeremiah 4:22 - they are wise Ezekiel 22:10 - discovered Micah 7:6 - son

Verse 22

the top: 2 Samuel 11:2

went in: 2 Samuel 12:11, 2 Samuel 12:12, 2 Samuel 15:16, 2 Samuel 20:3, Numbers 25:6, Isaiah 3:9, Jeremiah 3:3, Jeremiah 8:12, Ezekiel 24:7, Philippians 3:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:22 - lay with Genesis 38:26 - And he knew Leviticus 18:8 - General Deuteronomy 27:20 - General Judges 19:1 - a concubine 2 Samuel 3:7 - gone in 1 Kings 2:21 - Let Abishag Psalms 55:10 - mischief Psalms 71:4 - out of the Ezekiel 22:10 - discovered 1 Corinthians 5:1 - that one

Verse 23

as if: Numbers 27:21, 1 Samuel 30:8, Psalms 28:2, 1 Peter 4:11

oracle of God: Heb. word of God, Psalms 19:7

so was: The first counsel of this sagacious but wicked man to Absalom was more like an oracle of Satan, both for subtlety and atrocity. He advised the shameless measure just detailed, in order to establish Absalom, and to preclude the possibility of a reconciliation with David. The wives of a conquered king were always the property of the conqueror; and in possessing these he appeared to possess the right to the kingdom.

all the counsel: 2 Samuel 17:14, 2 Samuel 17:23, Job 5:12, Job 28:28, Jeremiah 4:22, Jeremiah 8:9, Matthew 11:25, Luke 16:8, Romans 1:22, 1 Corinthians 3:19, 1 Corinthians 3:20, James 3:13-18

both: 2 Samuel 15:12, Ecclesiastes 10:1

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 15:31 - turn the counsel 1 Kings 2:23 - if Adonijah 1 Chronicles 27:33 - Ahithophel Job 19:14 - familiar Psalms 55:13 - my guide Psalms 119:96 - I have seen Isaiah 44:25 - turneth 1 Corinthians 1:20 - hath Hebrews 5:12 - the oracles James 3:15 - but