16:1 the summit Of the Mount of Olives (see 15:30).

Ziba See 9:2–4, 9–12.

Mephibosheth See 4:4; 9:5–8, 13.

16:2 young men Refers to soldiers (e.g., 1:15; 2:14); these were military rations.

16:3 the son of your lord Refers to Mephibosheth.

the house of Israel shall return the kingdom of my father to me A lie, if Mephibosheth’s later account is to be believed (see 19:24–30).

16:4 all that was Mephibosheth’s The king rewards Ziba for his loyalty, but apparently he does not punish Mephibosheth. He may be honoring his covenant with Jonathan (see 1 Sam 20:15 and note) or showing pity.

I hereby do obeisance See 2 Sam 14:4 and note.

16:5 He was cursing as he came out Shimei hurls epithets and pronounces judgment on David.

16:6 he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David and at all the people and at A physical attack against the king or royal family was punishable by death (see v. 9). In light of David’s edict against harming Yahweh’s anointed (see 1:15 and note), it is surprising that Shimei goes unpunished.

16:7 man of bloodshed Shimei calls David a murderer, possibly suggesting that the events of 21:1–14 preceded this encounter. Alternatively, he may hold David responsible for the deaths of Ish-bosheth (4:5–8), Abner (3:22–30), or possibly even Saul himself.

man of wickedness See 1 Sam 2:12 and note.

16:9 Abishai the son of Zeruiah David’s nephew. See 2 Sam 2:18 and note.

dead dog See 3:8 and note.

16:10 sons of Zeruiah Occasionally used in a derogatory manner to indicate their violence (see 3:39; 19:22).

16:11 Yahweh has spoken to him David allows Shimei to curse him because he presumes that Yahweh may have told Shimei to do so.

16:15 Ahithophel was with him David’s former counselor, now definitely loyal to Absalom. See 15:12 and note.

16:16 the friend of David See 15:37.

Hushai Sent by David to act as a false counselor to Absalom. See 15:32–37.

Long live the king Hushai is intentionally ambiguous. He could be pronouncing blessings upon David, not Absalom.

16:17 with your friend See 15:37; 16:16.

16:18 have chosen Another ambiguous reference to David (compare v. 16).

to him I will be, and with him I will remain Although Hushai remained loyal to David and not Absalom, he is suggesting that he would be loyal to Absalom.

16:19 not in the presence of his son Hushai should be serving David in the royal palace, not his son.

So shall I serve you See 15:34.

16:21 Go to the concubines of your father Ahithophel instructs Absalom to have sex with the concubines, thereby signifying his occupation of his father’s throne (see 3:7 and note).

whom he left behind See 15:16 and note.

16:22 he went in to the concubines of his father Fulfills Nathan’s prophecy in 12:11–12.

16:23 the word of God Indicates that Ahithophel’s advice was held in the highest esteem.

both by David and by Absalom By David formerly, and by Absalom presently.