Study Guide: 2 Samuel 16
*This study guide can be used in conjunction with the message preached on October 5, 2025 during the series Imperfect Heroes.
Pray
Lord, help me to trust Your justice and remain humble when I am misunderstood, mistreated, or falsely accused.
Read
2 Samuel 16
Observe
vv. 1-2 | Ziba meets David with supplies
As David went a little past the top of the mountain, he was met by Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son. Ziba brought two saddled donkeys loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred clusters of raisins, a hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine. When David asked about the purpose of these gifts, Ziba explained that the donkeys were for David’s household to ride, the food for the young men to eat, and the wine for the weary in the wilderness to drink. This act seemed generous, especially since Ziba was the servant of the man David had shown great kindness to earlier (2 Samuel 9). At a time of urgent need, Ziba came forward with provisions that appeared thoughtful and timely.
vv. 3-4 | Ziba speaks against Mephibosheth
When David asked about Mephibosheth, Ziba answered that he had stayed in Jerusalem, hoping the kingdom of Saul would be restored to him. This was a lie, but David didn’t know it at the time. Believing the report, David declared that everything belonging to Mephibosheth would now belong to Ziba. In reality, Ziba abandoned Mephibosheth to make it look as though he wasn’t loyal to David. The false story hurt David deeply, since it made him feel that yet another trusted friend had turned against him. Ziba’s actions were selfish and deceitful—using a crisis to gain power and wealth for himself. David rewarded Ziba’s supposed loyalty and punished Mephibosheth’s reported betrayal, which was exactly the outcome Ziba wanted.
vv. 5-8 | Shimei curses a deposed king
As David came to Bahurim, a man named Shimei, from the family of Saul, came out cursing and throwing stones at him and his men. Surrounded by David’s soldiers, Shimei shouted insults, calling David a bloodthirsty rogue. He claimed that God was punishing David for the blood of Saul’s house and giving the kingdom to Absalom. Shimei was harsh, mocking David in his lowest moment, attacking his dignity, and accusing him of evil motives. In reality, Shimei’s accusations were false. David had shown kindness to Saul’s family, was not a bloodthirsty man, and did not cause Saul’s downfall. Still, from the outside, it looked like God was judging David, which made Shimei’s curses seem convincing. He was wrong, though, about David’s heart and his history.
vv. 9-14 | David receives adversity with humility
Abishai, one of David’s warriors, was enraged and wanted to silence Shimei by killing him. But David stopped him, saying that perhaps God had allowed Shimei’s curses, and maybe God would use them for good. David refused to lash out or silence his critic, keeping his perspective clear: Absalom was his real enemy, not Shimei. David trusted that if he responded rightly in the present, God would handle the future. Instead of fighting back, David chose humility, believing God was in control even of insults and curses. Despite the weight of the moment, God provided David and his men with refreshment, reminding him that peace and comfort still come to those who put their trust in Him.
vv. 15-19 | Absalom receives Hushai as an advisor
When Absalom and his followers arrived in Jerusalem, Hushai the Archite—David’s friend—greeted him with loyalty. Suspicious, Absalom asked why he had not gone with David. Hushai cleverly replied that he would serve whomever the Lord and the people had chosen, which now appeared to be Absalom. In reality, David had sent Hushai back to Jerusalem as a spy, hoping he would frustrate the wise counsel of Ahithophel, who had sided with Absalom. Hushai concealed his true mission, playing the part of a loyal advisor while secretly working to protect David.
vv. 20-23 | Absalom follows Ahithophel’s advice
Absalom then asked Ahithophel for guidance. Ahithophel advised him to publicly take his father’s concubines, signaling to Israel that his break with David was final and beyond repair. Absalom followed this advice, setting up a tent on the palace roof and committing this act before all Israel. The counsel was wicked and rooted in bitterness, yet Ahithophel’s reputation for wisdom was so great that his advice was treated almost as if it came directly from God. This move not only disgraced David but also fulfilled God’s word of judgment after David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:11–12). It also exposed the destructive nature of bitterness—Ahithophel’s hatred drove him to give counsel that brought shame, immorality, and great harm to the kingdom. Absalom, clever in politics but blind to God’s ways, thought he could secure his throne through such actions, but in reality, he only sealed his path to ruin.
Credit: Guzik, David. “2 Samuel 16 - David Flees as Absalom Asserts His Reign.” Enduring Word, n.d., https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/2-samuel-16.
Apply
1. Discern truth before making judgments.
Like David believed Ziba’s false report without verifying, we can easily make hasty decisions based on appearances; instead, we should seek God’s wisdom and be careful not to act on half-truths.
2. Choose humility when mistreated.
David refused to retaliate against Shimei’s curses, reminding us to respond with patience and trust in God rather than anger when others wrong us.
3. Beware of bitterness and selfish ambition.
Ziba’s deceit and Ahithophel’s destructive advice both flowed from self-centered motives; their actions show how unchecked ambition and bitterness can harm not only ourselves but also others around us.
Pray (ACTS)
What is the ACTS prayer model?
A - Praise God that He is sovereign and just and works all things according to His perfect plan.
C - Confess a time you judged another too quickly or let bitterness shape your heart.
T - Thank God that He can bring good even out of hardship.
S - Ask God to help you trust Him when you are wronged.
DISCUSS
Questions for personal reflection, spiritual insight, or group interaction.
How does Ziba’s deception remind us of the importance of testing what we hear before believing it?
Why do you think David was so quick to believe Ziba’s story about Mephibosheth?
What can this passage teach us about the danger of making decisions in the heat of crisis?
How do we respond when people insult, slander, or falsely accuse us like Shimei did to David?
Why do you think David chose humility instead of retaliation when Shimei cursed him?
In what ways can God use painful words or unfair treatment to refine our character?
How does David’s trust in God’s justice encourage us when we face opposition?
What lessons can we learn from Absalom’s willingness to follow Ahithophel’s ungodly advice?
How does bitterness, like Ahithophel’s, affect not only the person who harbors it but also those around them?
Where do you see the destructive results of selfish ambition in this chapter?
How can we cultivate discernment so we are not deceived by appearances or manipulative words?
What does this chapter reveal about God’s faithfulness, even when people act unjustly?
Resources for Further Study of 2 Samuel