2 Samuel 16:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.

NIV: The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.

NASB: And the king and all the people who were with him arrived exhausted, and he refreshed himself there.

CSB: Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so they rested there.

NLT: The king and all who were with him grew weary along the way, so they rested when they reached the Jordan River.

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

NKJV: Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.

It's been a long, painful day for David. It began with news that Absalom was marching toward Jerusalem with men he'd turned against his father. David scrambled, gathering his household to flee, rather than risking a battle in the city. He takes two units of Philistine bodyguards, one Philistine mercenary troop, and his mighty men. He leaves behind two priests and an old friend to spy on his son. Along the way, he receives provisions from Saul's former servant and curses from Saul's relative. Now, he and his people have finally reached the ford at the Jordan River. Here they wait for news: should they cross? Or will Absalom let them rest?

David writes:

I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
--Psalm 3:5

Absalom enters Jerusalem and begins his administration. He's enticed David's advisor Ahithophel to his side. Ahithophel convinces Absalom to sleep with the concubines David left as a sign of domination (2 Samuel 16:20–23). But David's friend Hushai has infiltrated Absalom's council (2 Samuel 16:15–19). When Ahithophel offers to take 12,000 men and hunt David, Hushai has other advice. He reminds Absalom that David has been fighting wars since he was a boy. David may be caught off guard, but he'll quickly recover. Hushai suggests that the soldiers will melt in fear. Instead, Hushai recommends Absalom call his supporters across the tribes for a larger, consolidated attack. Absalom agrees (2 Samuel 17:1–16).

Hushai goes to the priests Zadok and Abiathar with a message to David: cross the river. Get to safety. The priests send a girl to a town outside the city to tell their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan. The men get the word, but a boy sees them and races to Jerusalem to tell Absalom. Absalom sends soldiers to find the priests' sons. They hide in a well with the help of another woman. Eventually, the men reach David, and the people cross to safety (2 Samuel 16:15–22).

Second Samuel 16:9–14 records David continuing to show grace to Saul's house. While fleeing Absalom, David comes across Saul's relative Shimei. Shimei blames David for Saul and his sons' deaths. He curses David as a "man of blood" and throws rocks at him (2 Samuel 16:5–8). Abishai offers to kill Shimei, but David stops him. David knows Absalom and Shimei aren't punishment for betraying Saul; they're part of God's curse for David's betrayal of Uriah (2 Samuel 12:10–12). David lets Shimei live, but when Shimei breaks the stipulations, Solomon has him executed (1 Kings 2:36–46).

David flees and Absalom takes Jerusalem. Absalom arrives with his supporters while David and his servants race to the Jordan River (2 Samuel 15). Mephibosheth's servant Ziba brings David donkeys, provisions, and news that Mephibosheth has also betrayed David. Shimei, Saul's relative, throws stones and curses at David and his people. David's former counselor Ahithophel convinces Absalom to have sex with David's concubines. But David's friend Hushai has infiltrated Absalom's council and will prove to be an exceptionally good spy (2 Samuel 17:1–22).

In 2 Samuel 16, leadership in Jerusalem changes hands. Because of David's sin (2 Samuel 11), God predicts death and controversy in David's life. That starts with assault and murder within David's own family (2 Samuel 12—14). The murderer, David's son Absalom, took four years to gain the people's trust and declare himself king (2 Samuel 15:1–11). He won over David's counselor, but David has his servants, warriors, two priests, and an old friend: the last three stay as spies (2 Samuel 15:13–37). As Absalom takes the throne, David meets two Benjamites: one helpful and one horrible. Soon, Absalom will plan an attack, but the priests and David's friend send word and save David's people (2 Samuel 17:1–22).