| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1When David had gone a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth was there to meet him. He had a pair of saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. | 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. |
| 2“Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “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 to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.” | 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."" |
| 3“Where is your master’s grandson?” asked the king. And Ziba answered, “Indeed, he is staying in Jerusalem, for he has said, ‘Today, the house of Israel will restore to me the kingdom of my grandfather.’ ” | 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.'" |
| 4So the king said to Ziba, “All that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours!” “I humbly bow before you,” said Ziba. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king!” | 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!" |
| 5As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. | 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. |
| 6He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. | 6He threw stones at David and at all the royal servants, the people and the warriors on David's right and left. |
| 7And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! | 7Shimei said as he cursed: "Get out, get out, you worthless murderer! |
| 8The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!” | 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!" |
| 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!” | 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!" |
| 10But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’ ” | 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?'" |
| 11Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so. | 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. |
| 12Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.” | 12Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei's curses today." |
| 13So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David. | 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. |
| 14Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived, exhausted. And there he refreshed himself. | 14Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so they rested there. |
| 15Then Absalom and all the men of Israel came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel was with him. | 15Now Absalom and all the Israelites came to Jerusalem. Ahithophel was also with him. |
| 16And David’s friend Hushai the Archite went to Absalom and said to him, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” | 16When David's friend Hushai the Archite came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!"" |
| 17“Is this the loyalty you show your friend?” Absalom replied. “Why did you not go with your friend?” | 17Is this your loyalty to your friend?" Absalom asked Hushai. "Why didn't you go with your friend?"" |
| 18“Not at all,” Hushai answered. “For the one chosen by the LORD, by the people, and by all the men of Israel—his I will be, and with him I will remain. | 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. |
| 19Furthermore, whom should I serve if not the son? As I served in your father’s presence, so also I will serve in yours.” | 19Furthermore, whom will I serve if not his son? As I served in your father's presence, I will also serve in yours." |
| 20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give me counsel. What should we do?” | 20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give me your advice. What should we do?" |
| 21Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” | 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." |
| 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 in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice. | 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. |
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