1Now when David was a little past the top, look, Ziba the servant of Mippibaal met him with a couple of donkeys saddled, and on them two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a container of wine. 2And the king said to Ziba, "Why did you bring these things?" And Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine is for those who get exhausted in the desert." 3Then the king said, "Where is your master’s son?" Ziba said to the king, "Look, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the children of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my father.’" 4Then the king said to Ziba, "Look, all that pertains to Mippibaal is yours." And Ziba replied, "I humbly bow. May I find favor in the sight of my lord the king."

5And when king David reached Bahurim, now look, a man of the family of the house of Saul came out, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera. He came out and cursed continuously as he approached. 6And he threw stones at David and at all his servants, and all the people and all the soldiers at his right hand and at his left. 7And Shimei said as he cursed, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, and worthless man. 8The LORD has returned on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. And look, your evil is upon you, because you are a man of bloodshed."

9Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and take off his head." 10The king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Because he curses, and because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David;’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’" 11Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, "Look, my son who came from my body seeks my life. So also now this Benjamite. Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. 12Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me for his cursing today." 13So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him, and cursed as he went, threw stones at his flank, and threw dirt. 14Now the king and all his people arrived weary at the Jordan, and he refreshed himself there.

15Now Absalom and all the men of Israel arrived in Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. 16And it came about when David’s friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king. Long live the king." 17So Absalom said to Hushai, Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”" 18Then Hushai said to Absalom, "No, but whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, his will I belong, and with him I will stay. 19Again, whom should I serve? Shouldn't I serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence."

20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give your counsel. What should we do?" 21Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father’s secondary wives, that he has left to care for the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father. Then those on your side will be motivated to support you." 22So they set up a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father's secondary wives in the sight of all Israel. 23Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one inquired of the word of God. So was all the counsel of Ahithophel both to David and to Absalom.