2 Samuel 16

And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

As David crested the hill, he was met by Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant. Ziba had brought two donkeys loaded with gifts - 200 loaves of bread, 100 bunches of raisins, 100 summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

The king asked Ziba, "What's the purpose of these items?" Ziba replied, "The donkeys are for your family to ride, the bread and summer fruits are for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those who are weary in the wilderness to drink."

And the king said, And where is thy master’s son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

The king asked, "Where is your master's grandson?" Ziba replied, "He's in Jerusalem, hoping that today, Israel will give him back his grandfather's kingdom."

Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.

The king told Ziba, "Everything that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." Ziba, filled with gratitude, replied, "May I always have your favor, my lord, O king."

And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.

As King David arrived in Bahurim, he was met with hostility. A man named Shimei, from Saul's lineage, emerged. Overflowing with bitterness, he hurled curses at David without pause.

And he cast 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.

With anger, he hurled stones at David and his loyal servants. Everyone, including the bravest warriors, stood by his side, both right and left.

And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

Shimei, filled with anger and contempt, shouted, "Leave, leave, you violent and wicked man!"

The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.

God has made you pay for all the bloodshed from Saul's family, whose throne you took. He has given your kingdom to your son Absalom. You're now trapped in your own wrongdoings because you are a man of violence.

Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.

Abishai, Zeruiah's son, turned to the king, his voice filled with indignation. "Why should this worthless man insult you, my king? Please, allow me to silence him forever."

And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

The king questioned, "What business do I have with you, children of Zeruiah? Let him curse me if God has commanded him to. Who are we to question God's will?"

And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

David, in deep sorrow, said to Abishai and all his men, "Look, my own son is trying to kill me. So why should I be surprised if this Benjamite feels the same? Let him be, let him express his anger. After all, it's God's will."

It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

Perhaps God will see my suffering and in return for today's hardships, bless me with goodness.

And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

As David and his companions journeyed, Shimei shadowed them from the hillside. Filled with rage, he hurled both curses and stones at them, flinging dust in their direction.

And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

The king and his followers, exhausted from their journey, found solace and rejuvenated themselves at that place.

And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

Absalom, along with all the men of Israel, arrived in Jerusalem, Ahithophel accompanying them. Their hearts were heavy with anticipation, their footsteps echoing with purpose.

And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.

When Hushai, David's loyal friend, arrived before Absalom, he passionately exclaimed, "May God protect the king! May God protect the king!"

And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

Absalom questioned Hushai, his voice tinged with disappointment, "Is this how you treat your friend? Why didn't you go with him?"

And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.

Hushai told Absalom, "No, I will stand by the one chosen by God, the people, and all the men of Israel. I will follow his lead and stay loyal to him."

And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father’s presence, so will I be in thy presence.

Who should I devote myself to, if not to his son? Just as I was loyal to your father, I'll be loyal to you.

Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

Absalom turned to Ahithophel, his voice filled with urgency, "Share your wisdom with us. What should we do next?"

And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.

Ahithophel advised Absalom, "Sleep with your father's concubines, the ones he left behind to care for the house. Let all of Israel hear of your father's disdain for you. This will strengthen the resolve of those who stand with you."

So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

They set up a tent for Absalom on the rooftop, and there, in full view of all Israel, Absalom shamelessly slept with his father's concubines.

And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

Ahithophel's advice in those times was so wise, it was as if he was channeling God's own wisdom. Everyone, including David and Absalom, respected and valued his counsel.