2 Samuel – Chapter 16

Old Testament23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 16 of 2 Samuel begins: "And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold Siba the servant of Miphiboseth came to meet him with two asses, laden with…" The chapter centers on Absalom, David and Saul. Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold Siba the servant of Miphiboseth came to meet him with two asses, laden with two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs, and a vessel of wine.

2And the king said to Siba: What mean these things? And Siba answered: The asses are for the king's household to sit on: and the loaves and the figs for thy servants to eat, and the wine to drink if any man be faint in the desert.

3And the king said: Where is thy master's son? And Siba answered the king: He remained in Jerusalem, saying: To day, will the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.

4And the king said to Siba: I give thee all that belonged to Miphiboseth. And Siba said: I beseech thee let me find grace before thee, my lord, O king.

5And king David came as far as Bahurim: and behold there came out from thence a man of the kindred of the house of Saul named Semei, the son of Gera, and coming out he cursed as he went on,

6And he threw stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people, and all the warriors walked on the right, and on the left side of the king.

7And thus said Semei when he cursed the king: Come out, come out, thou man of blood, and thou man of Belial.

8The Lord hath repaid thee for all the blood of the house of Saul: because thou hast usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold thy evils press upon thee, because thou art a man of blood.

9And Abisai the son of Sarvia said to the king: Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? I will go, and cut off his head.

10And the king said: What have I to do with you, ye sons of Sarvia? Let him alone and let him curse: for the Lord hath bid him curse David: and who is he that shall dare say, why hath he done so?

11And the king said to Abisai, and to all his servants: Behold my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now a son of Jemini? let him alone that he may curse as the Lord hath bidden him.

12Perhaps the Lord may look upon my affliction, and the Lord may render me good for the cursing of this day.

13And David and his men with him went by the way. And Semei by the hill's side went over against him, cursing, and casting stones at him, and scattering earth.

14And the king and all the people with him came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

15But Absalom and all his people came into Jerusalem, and Achitophel was with him.

16And when Chusai the Arachite, David's friend, was come to Absalom, he said to him: God save thee, O king, God save thee, O king.

17And Absalom said to him, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? Why wentest thou not with thy friend?

18And Chusai answered Absalom: Nay: for I will be his, whom the Lord hath chosen, and all this people, and all Israel, and with him will I abide.

19Besides this, whom shall I serve? is it not the king's son? as I have served thy father, so will I serve thee also.

20And Absalom said to Achitophel: Consult what we are to do.

21And Achitophel said to Absalom: Go in to the concubines of thy father, whom he hath left to keep the house: that when all Israel shall hear that thou hast disgraced thy father, their hands may be strengthened with thee.

22So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and he went in to his father's concubines before all Israel.

23Now the counsel of Achitophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man should consult God: so was all the counsel of Achitophel, both when he was with David, and when he was with Absalom.

Important Verses in 2 Samuel 16

And the king said to Siba: I give thee all that belonged to Miphiboseth. And Siba said: I beseech thee let me find grace before thee, my lord, O king.

2 Samuel 16:4

The Lord hath repaid thee for all the blood of the house of Saul: because thou hast usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold thy evils press upon thee, because thou art a man of blood.

2 Samuel 16:8

And the king said to Abisai, and to all his servants: Behold my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now a son of Jemini? let him alone that he may curse as the Lord hath bidden him.

2 Samuel 16:11

Now the counsel of Achitophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man should consult God: so was all the counsel of Achitophel, both when he was with David, and when he was with Absalom.

2 Samuel 16:23

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 2 Samuel was written with israel, taught that even great kings stand under God's law and mercy in view. Chapter 16 of 24 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Absalom, David and Saul, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold Siba the servant of Miphiboseth came to meet him with two…" It concludes: "Now the counsel of Achitophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man should consult God: so was all the counsel…" Read against its original backdrop, Second Samuel chronicles David's forty-year reign: the capture of Jerusalem, the bringing of the Ark, God's covenant promise of an everlasting dynasty (2 Sam 7), and David's grave sins and repentance. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

Who Wrote It

Court traditions compiled by inspired editors, drawing on records of Nathan and Gad

When It Was Written

Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile

Catholic Commentary

In this 23-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of David's reign and the Davidic covenant. A pivotal line is verse 4: "And the king said to Siba: I give thee all that belonged to Miphiboseth. And Siba said: I beseech thee let me find grace before thee, my lord, O king." The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

Catholic exegesis reads 2 Samuel 16 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the promise to David finds fulfillment in Christ, Son of David (CIC 437-439). St. Gregory the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 113).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God establishes an eternal kingdom. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, 2 Samuel 16 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.

People in This Chapter

Absalom9 mentionsDavid8 mentionsSaul2 mentions

Reflection for Today

2 Samuel Chapter 16, containing 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 2215). Here the emphasis falls on the Eucharist as source and summit, which shapes how the Church understands David's reign and the Davidic covenant.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the Eucharist as source and summit bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Samuel Chapter 16 about?

2 Samuel 16 contains 23 verses. It opens with "And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold Siba the servant of Miphiboseth came to meet him with two…" and closes with "Now the counsel of Achitophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man should consult God: so was all the counsel…". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 2 Samuel 16?

One of the most significant verses is verse 4: "And the king said to Siba: I give thee all that belonged to Miphiboseth. And Siba said: I beseech thee let me find grace before thee, my lord, O king." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Samuel Chapter 16?

This chapter mentions Absalom, David, Saul.

Who wrote 2 Samuel and when?

Court traditions compiled by inspired editors, drawing on records of Nathan and Gad. Events of about 1010-970 BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

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