Verses 1-23

Apparent success of the revolt (16:1-23)

As David left Jerusalem, Ziba (whom David had appointed to manage the property of Saul's grandson Mephibosheth; see 9:9-13) took the opportunity to win David's favour by bringing him food and animals to assist his escape. Ziba then told David that Mephibosheth was a traitor who was planning to seize the throne for himself. As a result David took away Mephibosheth's property and gave it to Ziba, though later events showed there was some doubt whether Mephibosheth really was a traitor (16:1-4; cf. 19:24-30).

Shimei, another of Saul's relatives, was pleased to see David humiliatingly removed from his throne, and cursed him bitterly (5-8). David showed much patience in accepting the humiliation, believing it might have been part of God's judgment upon him (9-14).

Meanwhile Absalom seized power in Jerusalem, though David's cause was helped when Hushai gained entrance into Absalom's circle of advisers (15-19). Absalom then took over his father's harem, to demonstrate to all that he was now king. By his shameful treatment of the harem women he showed his utter contempt for his father (cf. 12:11). This was all carefully planned by Ahithophel. He saw that if Absalom's revolt was to succeed, there had to be no possible chance of a reconciliation between Absalom and David (20-23).