2 Samuel 16:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he threw 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.

NIV: He 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.

NASB: He also threw stones at David and all the servants of King David; and all the people and all the warriors were on his right and on his left.

CSB: He threw stones at David and at all the royal servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left.

NLT: He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And he threw 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.

As far as David knows in this moment, Saul's family is taking advantage of David's misfortune. David's son Absalom has gathered a strong following and is marching on Jerusalem. David and those loyal to him are racing for the Jordan River (2 Samuel 15:13–17). Along their way, they met Ziba, the servant David placed over the care of Mephibosheth's estate. Ziba brings food and says that Mephibosheth has betrayed David's kindness. He's in Jerusalem, Ziba claims, waiting for the people to return the kingdom to Saul's family (2 Samuel 16:1–4).

Soon after, another of Saul's relatives appears. He believes David and his people have committed a capital offense and deserve to be executed, so he is throwing curses and stones. With David in a vulnerable state, Shimei feels free to speak his mind. He blames David for the downfall of the house of Saul (2 Samuel 16:7–8) even though David had nothing to do with Saul and Jonathan's deaths (1 Samuel 31:1–6). When he was king of Judah and Saul's son Ish-bosheth was king of Israel, their armies did fight, although it appears that was more the work of Ish-bosheth's military commander, Abner (2 Samuel 2:8–9, 12–17). When both Ish-bosheth and Abner were murdered, David disavowed any involvement (2 Samuel 3:26–30; 4:5–12).

David is politically vulnerable. But in this moment, he is well protected. His nephew Abishai is next to him, which means his military commander Joab isn't far off. He's surrounded by his "mighty men": an elite unit of about thirty warriors (2 Samuel 23:8–39). Abishai, himself, killed three hundred men with a spear in one battle (2 Samuel 23:18). Shimei is fortunate that David isn't in the mood to fight (2 Samuel 16:11–12).

Second Samuel 16:5–8 shows David meeting another member of Saul's family. He and his servants are running for their lives, trying to get to the Jordan River before Absalom can attack. Ziba, Jonathan's son's servant, has already given them food and donkeys (2 Samuel 16:1– 4). Now, Saul's relative Shimei has come to offer curses and stones. He blames David for Saul and his sons' deaths. David's general Abishai offers to execute Shimei, but David stops him. For all David knows, God has told Shimei to do this. If that's the case, David will bear it patiently (2 Samuel 16:9–14).

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).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.