2 Samuel 16

Ziba

2 Sam 16:1 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.

There is a saying, "there is no free lunch." This means that when someone is showing kindness, it may be because there is something they desire from you. Another time David and his men were met with a donkey loaded with food. This woman, Abagail, used this kindness to spare the life of her bad husband, From this act she became a wife of David.

1 Sam 25:18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
1 Sam 25:19 And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal.
1 Sam 25:20 And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert on the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them.

2 Sam 16:2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.

This was a welcomed treat for David and his men. As servants of Christ we are to meet needs and look for ways to bless, not with an eye for a reward, but as from a heart of love.

Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Eph 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Eph 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

2 Sam 16:3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

We learn later that Ziba was lying to David. Ziba had left Mephibosheth, the heir of Saul behind, and came to David as if the son had chosen Absalom. (2 Samuel 19:25-30) This hurt David who had shown grace unto this young man, who seemingly returned love and gratitude to the king. The king had restored all that Saul owned to the lame boy. It would be as the Lord would feel towards those who he has given grace and then see them return in service to the devil.

2 Sam 16:4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.

In plain language, David believed Ziba's false story and bestowed all that Mephibosheth owned unto his servant. The devil and his servants are subtle. I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. Ziba continues to play his game. David is discouraged and Ziba has become wealthy. We do not give only to take away from another.

Young women beware of men with gifts. Those who trust in this world's wealth, will find others who will make offers to them by deceit. We must learn to be wise to the schemes of others.

Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

When we have been hurt and deceived by others it is difficult to forgive, but we must. The Lord is our provision and our friend forever, thank you Jesus..

Shimea, the accuser

2 Sam 16:5 And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.

How we need to know that God is with us and loves us, for the enemy of our souls seeks to destroy us, especially when we are low in spirit. After hearing the false report of Saul's son defecting to Absalom, another of Saul's house came spouting curses to the king. Kick him while he is down, the devil screamed.

2 Sam 16:6 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.

Insanity is often the presence of demonic spirits, as evidenced here. What man in his right mind would hurl stones at a man accompanied by mighty armed men on either side? We are like this, wherever we go we have God's angels surrounding us. Yet, satan attacks through words that lodge as darts in the heart. As soon as this happens, up comes the shield of faith. We dare not forget who we serve,

Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

2 Sam 16:7 And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:

Shimei calls David a bloody man and a son of the devil. Where does he get this from? David never once laid a hand on Saul, and he protected his house.

2 Sam 16:8 The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.

Perhaps David was a bloody man of war, but never towards Saul. The devil could not affect us with his lies, unless they were mixed with some truth. The evil spirits see our weaknesses and accuse us, mixing some truth with the poison fruit of the devil. He seeks to bring forth death. We are not of the lying death spirit. If we see another's sin we are to restore and bring forth the way of life and forgiveness. There is no grace or forgiveness with the devil...if we, in despair, take our life, he has accomplished his purpose. Remember that God loves you and has given Jesus; His life for your reconciliation. Be at peace with God and cast down words that accuse and seek to destroy your well being.

David's humbling

2 Sam 16:9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.

They certainly had the might to destroy this accuser, this worthless dead dog. The kings friend, Abashai was Joabs cousin, he came to his defense, he will deal with this accuser. Abashai was with David when they came into Saul's camp and could have slain him while he slept, but instead the took his javelin. Abashai wanted to avenge David, by killing Saul back then.

1 Sam 26:9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?

A dead dog, was insignificant and harmless. Two other times this term was used, once by David who could not understand why Saul was pursuing him.

1 Sam 24:14 After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

Another time was a from a humble Mephibosheth, receiving the mercy of David.

2 Sam 9:8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
2 Sam 9:9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.

2 Sam 16:10 And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

What a humble attitude David had. Something to take to heart: even when our enemies accuse us, there is some truth in their words, it may be allowed by God to cause us to examine our hearts.

2 Sam 16:11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

He may have been cursing David, but Absalom, whom he loved was cursing him even more by his actions. A barking dog of the tribe of Benjamin was a nuisance, yet the rebellion of Absalom was a calamity in David's life. Leave him alone, God is dealing with my heart. Sometimes we cannot take away the pain another is going through, because God is trying to bring them closer, and is cutting off that which is not profitable, as a vine dresser prunes away dead branches.

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman, (the gardener in charge).
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

2 Sam 16:12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

The LORD is merciful. If we humble ourselves before him, he lifts us up.

1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

2 Sam 16:13 And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.

It was by grace that Shimei was not killed. We are to be people of grace.

Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

2 Sam 16:14 And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

They rested and partook of the meal that Zima had provided.

Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Rebellion

2 Sam 16:15 And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.

David's rebellious son, takes the kingship and then takes the city of the king, Jerusalem, city of the eternal king. With him is David's once faithful, wise counselor. We can imagine the low thoughts and humbling of David, when he is so dishonored by those he loved and trusted. Jesus died for those who dishonored God, this is true love and humility. Through his death we receive his love, cleansing of sins and a new eternal life. God works through afflictions, we need not feel that there is no hope. We should expect a miracle when we trust in Jesus.

2 Sam 16:16 And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.

"God save the king," words of flattery to a self seeking Absalom. How the flesh seeks admiration. This is how satan enters in, through pride and the works of the flesh. Hushai was sent by David to spy and to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

2 Sam 15:34 But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

2 Sam 16:17 And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?

Is this your kindness to King David? Why did you not go with your friend? Why indeed? And, why did Absalom go against the King, his own father? Rebellion was understood and embraced by Absalom. Rebellion is commonplace in our generation, where there is little respect for authority.

2 Sam 16:18 And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
2 Sam 16:19 And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.

I am like all the others, following the popular rebel. You are in power now, so I will follow you. Isn't power what it is all about? Do not rebellious people seek to be in power?

1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

The words of Samuel ring down to all generations. It had not been so long since these words were spoken to a rebellious king Saul.

Absalom received Hushai as a fellow rebel. The thought of him betraying his father, seemed to make them of one heart, with the rebellious son. Hushai would be a spy and a voice opposing the counsel of Ahithophel. Absalom needed others to show him truth, for he could not see.

Mat 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

We are of the light, in Jesus is the light of the world. Study the word of truth and be not deceived.

Treason

2 Sam 16:20 Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.

The new king is a foolish young man seeking advice and without morality.

2 Sam 16:21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.

If we can remember, all the anger began in Absalom's heart because a half brother, Amnon, had raped his sister, Tamar. Absalom had the offending brother, Amnon killed, to avenge his sister. This supposed high moral act began Absalom's madness, removing his father from his place in Jerusalem and now this great moral outrage.

2 Sam 16:22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

This was a dispicable act; treason to the king and to his father and an abomination in the sight of all Israel. It was also predicted as a judgment upon David.

2 Sam 12:10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.
2 Sam 12:11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.
2 Sam 12:12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

Psa 36:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
Psa 36:2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
Psa 36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
Psa 36:4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

2 Sam 16:23 And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

He had wisdom as if from God's prophet, in the viewpoint of the people. But, God does not say treacherous things. A prophet who devises his own plans will be punished by God, as was the prophet Balaam.

Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

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