| Holman Christian Standard Bible | New International Version |
| 1When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, was right there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 clusters of raisins, 100 bunches of summer fruit, and a skin of wine. | 1When 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. |
| 2The 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 desert."" | 2The 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." |
| 3Where 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.'" | 3The 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.'" |
| 4The king said to Ziba, "All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!"" I bow before you," Ziba said. "May you look favorably on me, my lord the king!" | 4Then the king said to Ziba, "All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours." "I humbly bow," Ziba said. "May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king." |
| 5When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he was yelling curses as he approached. | 5As 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. |
| 6He threw stones at David and at all the royal servants, the people and the warriors on David's right and left. | 6He 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. |
| 7Shimei said as he cursed: "Get out, get out, you worthless murderer! | 7As he cursed, Shimei said, "Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! |
| 8The 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 murderer!" | 8The 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!" |
| 9Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut his head off!" | 9Then 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." |
| 10The king replied, "Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because the LORD told him, 'Curse David!' Therefore, who can say, 'Why did you do that?'" | 10But 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?'" |
| 11Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, "Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, intends to take my life--how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; the LORD has told him to. | 11David 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 Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. |
| 12Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei's curses today." | 12It may be that the LORD will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today." |
| 13So 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, and threw stones and dirt at him. | 13So 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. |
| 14Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so they rested there. | 14The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself. |
| 15Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was also with him. | 15Meanwhile, Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. |
| 16When David's friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"" | 16Then Hushai the Arkite, David's confidant, went to Absalom and said to him, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" |
| 17Is this your loyalty to your friend?" Absalom asked Hushai. "Why didn't you go with your friend?"" | 17Absalom said to Hushai, "So this is the love you show your friend? If he's your friend, why didn't you go with him?" |
| 18Not at all," Hushai answered Absalom. "I am on the side of the one that the LORD, the people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him. | 18Hushai 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. |
| 19Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father's presence, I will also serve in yours." | 19Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you." |
| 20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give me your advice. What should we do?" | 20Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give us your advice. What should we do?" |
| 21Ahithophel replied to Absalom, "Sleep with your father's concubines he left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become repulsive to your father, everyone with you will be encouraged." | 21Ahithophel 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." |
| 22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. | 22So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. |
| 23Now the advice Ahithophel gave in those days was like someone asking about a word from God--such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel's advice. | 23Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's advice. |
| Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | 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. |
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