9. Then Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, said 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.
10. And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Why hast thou done so?
11. And David said to Abishai, and to all his slaves, Behold, my son, who came forth of my bowels, seeks my life; how much more now a son of Jemini? Let him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has bidden him.
12. It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.
13. And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the side of the mountain over against him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and cast dust.
14. And the king and all the people that were with him arrived weary and refreshed themselves there.
15. And Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
16. And it came to pass when Hushai the Archite, David’s special companion, came unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, Long live the king, Long live the king.
17. And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy mercy to thy friend? Why didst thou not go with thy friend?
18. And Hushai said unto Absalom, No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
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.
20. Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
21. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father; then the hands of all that are with thee shall be strong.
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.
23. And the counselled of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the word of God: so was all the counselled of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.