1When David had just gone a little past the top of the hill, Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, met him. Ziba had two donkeys with saddles, and on them were two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred bunches of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
2The king asked Ziba, “What are these for?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on. The bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat. The wine is for those who get tired in the wilderness to drink.”
3The king then asked, “Where is your master's son?” Ziba replied to the king, “Look, he is staying in Jerusalem, because he said, ‘Today the people of Israel will give me back my father's kingdom.’”
4Then the king said to Ziba, “Alright, everything that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” Ziba said, “I bow down. I hope I continue to please you, my lord, the king.”
5When King David arrived at Bahurim, a man named Shimei, son of Gera, from Saul’s own family, came out and cursed David as he approached.
6He threw stones at David and at all of King David’s servants. All the people and all the mighty warriors were on David’s right and left.
7As Shimei cursed, he said, “Get out, get out, you murderous and worthless man!
8Yahweh is making you pay for all the bloodshed of Saul’s family, whose throne you took! Yahweh has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom! See, you are caught in your own evil, because you are a murderer!”
9Then Abishai, son of Zeruiah, said to the king, “Why should this dead dog be allowed to curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and cut off his head.”
10The king replied, “What do I have to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? If he curses, and if Yahweh told him, ‘Curse David,’ then who has the right to question him?”
11David also said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more so this Benjaminite? Leave him alone and let him curse, for Yahweh has prompted him to do it.
12Perhaps Yahweh will see my suffering and will repay me with good for his curses against me today.”
13So David and his men continued on their way. Shimei walked along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went, and throwing stones and dirt at David.
14The king and all the people with him arrived, weary, and he rested there.
15Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, arrived in Jerusalem, with Ahithophel accompanying him.
16When Hushai the Archite, who was David’s friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
17Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this how you show loyalty to your friend? Why didn't you go with your friend?”
18Hushai answered Absalom, “No, but I will be with whoever Yahweh, these people, and all the men of Israel have chosen. I will stay with him.
19Besides, who should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? Just as I served your father, so I will be in your service.”
20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give us your advice on what we should do.”
21Ahithophel told Absalom, "Sleep with your father's concubines whom he left to care for the house. Then all Israel will hear that your father completely rejects you. This will make all your supporters more determined."
22So they set up a tent for Absalom on the roof of the house, and Absalom slept with his father's concubines in front of all Israel.
23In those days, Ahithophel's advice was as respected as if someone had asked God directly. This was true for all his advice to both David and Absalom.