2 Samuel 16 records three disparate events involving David’s fleeing Jerusalem and Absalom’s occupation.

First, Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, meets David with food.

Shortly after David passed the crest of the hill, Mephibosheth’s steward Ziba met him with a string of pack animals, saddled and loaded with a hundred loaves of bread, a hundred raisin cakes, a hundred baskets of fresh fruit, and a skin of wine. The king said to Ziba, “What’s all this?” “The donkeys,” said Ziba, “are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and fruit are for the servants to eat, and the wine is for drinking, especially for those overcome by fatigue in the wilderness.” (2 Samuel 16.1, 2, MSG)

I heard a pastor say that the phrase in the second half of Psalm 23 could be referring to this incident (or a similar one a few chapters later):

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies… (Psalm 23.5, ESV)

Unfortunately, Ziba also lied to David:

The king said, “And where is your master’s grandson?” “He stayed in Jerusalem,” said Ziba. “He said, ‘This is the day Israel is going to restore my grandfather’s kingdom to me.’ ” (2 Samuel 16.3, MSG, compare 2 Samuel 19.24 – 30)

The second incident involves Shimei:

When the king got to Bahurim, a man appeared who had connections with Saul’s family. His name was Shimei son of Gera. As he followed along he shouted insults and threw rocks right and left at David and his company, servants and soldiers alike. To the accompaniment of curses he shouted, “Get lost, get lost, you butcher, you hellhound! GOD has paid you back for all your dirty work in the family of Saul and for stealing his kingdom. GOD has given the kingdom to your son Absalom. Look at you now—ruined! And good riddance, you pathetic old man!” (2 Samuel 16.5 – 8, MSG)

David’s men know what to do!

Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “This mangy dog can’t insult my master the king this way—let me go over and cut off his head!” (2 Samuel 16.9, MSG)

But David spares Shimei now when leaving Jerusalem and again when he returns as we’ll see later.

But the king said, “Why are you sons of Zeruiah always interfering and getting in the way? If he’s cursing, it’s because GOD told him, “Curse David.” So who dares raise questions? Besides, my own son, my flesh and bone, is right now trying to kill me; compared to that this Benjaminite is small potatoes. Don’t bother with him; let him curse; he’s preaching GOD’s word to me. And who knows, maybe GOD will see the trouble I’m in today and exchange the curses for something good.” (2 Samuel 16.10 – 12, MSG)

Finally, the scene switches to Jerusalem, and we see what kind of man Absalom is as well as his trusted advisor Ahithophel:

Then Absalom spoke to Ahithophel, “Are you ready to give counsel? What do we do next?” Ahithophel told Absalom, “Go and sleep with your father’s concubines, the ones he left to tend to the palace. Everyone will hear that you have openly disgraced your father, and the morale of everyone on your side will be strengthened.” So Absalom pitched a tent up on the roof in public view, and went in and slept with his father’s concubines. (2 Samuel 16.20 – 22, MSG)

God’s word to Nathan has come true:

This is GOD speaking, remember! I’ll make trouble for you out of your own family. I’ll take your wives from right out in front of you. I’ll give them to some neighbor, and he’ll go to bed with them openly. You did your deed in secret; I’m doing mine with the whole country watching! (2 Samuel 12.11 – 12, MSG)

Nasty stuff. We can read the whole story in a few minutes, and we know that David’s forces defeat Absalom, and that David returns to Jerusalem, but it wouldn’t have been easy to live through. Sin has consequences even when God forgives:

Then David confessed to Nathan, “I’ve sinned against GOD.” Nathan pronounced, “Yes, but that’s not the last word. GOD forgives your sin. You won’t die for it. (2 Samuel 12. 13, MSG)

Nathan had already pronounced God’s blessing on David’s offspring even knowing they would sin, too:

I’ll be a father to him, and he’ll be a son to me. When he does wrong, I’ll discipline him in the usual ways, the pitfalls and obstacles of this mortal life. But I’ll never remove my gracious love from him, as I removed it from Saul, who preceded you and whom I most certainly did remove. Your family and your kingdom are permanently secured. I’m keeping my eye on them! And your royal throne will always be there, rock solid.” (2 Samuel 7.14 – 16, MSG)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1.9, ESV)