2 Samuel 16 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
2 Samuel 16
Accusation, humiliation, and the hope of mercy
Editorial Christian reading beside Christ’s teaching on enemies [NT2]. The competing claims about Mephibosheth are left for the later narrative to complicate.
16:1–4 | Ziba’s gifts and accusation
Verse MT 16:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:1
David had passed a little beyond the summit when Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, met him with a pair of saddled donkeys. On them were two hundred loaves, a hundred raisin clusters, a hundred portions of summer fruit, and a skin of wine.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:1
David had passed a little beyond Roos when Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, met him with a pair of loaded donkeys. On them were two hundred loaves, a hundred raisins, a hundred dates, and a vessel of wine.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has summit, summer fruit, and a wine skin; Greek Roos, dates, and a wine vessel. Clusters and portions supply the counted Hebrew fruit units, not fixed weights; the Greek fruit counts remain literal. Vessel renders borrowed nebel without specifying its material or capacity [D15].
Verse MT 16:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:2
The king said to Ziba, “What are these for?” Ziba said, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride; the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat; the wine is for those who grow faint in the wilderness to drink.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:2
The king said to Ziba, “What are these for?” Ziba said, “The pack animals are for the king’s household to ride; the bread and dates are for the young men to eat; the wine is for those who grow faint in the wilderness to drink.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek uses a general pack-animal term and again specifies dates. Hebrew’s checked reading of and the bread resolves its irregular written form [R16]. The provisions’ purposes agree.
Verse MT 16:3 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:3
The king said, “Where is your lord’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “He is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore my father’s kingdom to me.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:3
The king said, “Where is your lord’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “He is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore my father’s kingdom to me.’”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both preserve Ziba’s allegation as his report. It is not presented as independently established intent on Mephibosheth’s part; father can refer broadly to the ancestral royal house.
Verse MT 16:4 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:4
The king said to Ziba, “Everything belonging to Mephibosheth is now yours.” Ziba said, “I bow down. May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:4
The king said to Ziba, “Everything belonging to Mephibosheth is now yours.” Ziba bowed down and said, “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew includes the bowing in Ziba’s speech; Greek narrates it as his action. The transfer of property and request for favor agree.
16:5–14 | Shimei’s curses and David’s restraint
Verse MT 16:5 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:5
King David came to Bahurim. A man from the family of Saul’s house was coming out from there, named Shimei son of Gera. He came out, continually cursing.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:5
King David came to Bahurim. A man from the kin of Saul’s house was coming out from there, named Shimei son of Gera. He came out, continually cursing,
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The location, family, name, and continuing curse agree. Greek carries the action into verse 6.
Verse MT 16:6 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:6
He threw stones at David and all King David’s servants, while all the people and all the warriors were at David’s right and left.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:6
throwing stones at David and all King David’s servants, while all the people and all the powerful men were at the king’s right and left.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both retain the stones and the company flanking David. Hebrew’s pronouns are clarified by his name; Greek explicitly says the king.
Verse MT 16:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:7
Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, man of bloodshed, worthless man!
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:7
Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, man of bloodshed, lawless man!
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew beliyya‘al is rendered worthless; Greek paranomos lawless. The doubled command and bloodshed accusation agree.
Verse MT 16:8 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:8
YHWH has brought back upon you all the blood of Saul’s house, in whose place you became king. YHWH has given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. Now you are in calamity, because you are a man of bloodshed.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:8
The Lord has brought back upon you all the blood of Saul’s house, because you became king in his place. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. Now you are in calamity, because you are a man of bloodshed.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both present Shimei’s accusation and interpretation of events. Calamity renders the evil-state expression in context. His attribution of guilt is not converted into an editorial finding against David.
Verse MT 16:9 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:9
Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me cross over and take off his head.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:9
Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? I will cross over and take off his head.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew frames the proposal as a request; Greek uses a future declaration. Both retain the insult and lethal proposal without softening it.
Verse MT 16:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:10
The king said, “What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? Let him curse this way, because YHWH has told him, ‘Curse David.’ Who can say, ‘Why have you done this?’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:10
The king said, “What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah? Leave him alone, and let him curse this way, because the Lord has told him to curse David. Who can say, ‘Why have you done this?’”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek adds leave him alone and reports the divine command indirectly. Hebrew follows the checked qere thus and because against its irregular written particles [R16]. The words express David’s explanation for restraint.
Verse MT 16:11 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:11
David said to Abishai and all his servants, “My own son, who came from my body, seeks my life. How much more this Benjaminite now! Leave him alone and let him curse, for YHWH has told him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:11
David said to Abishai and all his servants, “My own son, who came from my belly, seeks my life. And now this son of the Benjaminite as well! Leave him alone to curse, for the Lord has told him.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew gives a how-much-more expression, Greek an additive one. Body / belly preserves the source imagery. Greek’s son-of formulation represents the Benjaminite designation without inventing a named father.
Verse MT 16:12 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:12
Perhaps YHWH will look upon my tears, and YHWH will repay me with good in place of his curse this day.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:12
Perhaps the Lord will look upon my humiliation and repay me with good things in place of his curse this day.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew follows qere my eye, contextually rendered my tears following Rashi on 16:12; the written form concerns iniquity [R16]. Greek explicitly has humiliation and plural good things, and does not repeat the Lord’s name. The hoped-for response remains uncertain.
Verse MT 16:13 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:13
David and his men went along the road. Shimei went along the mountainside opposite him, walking and cursing, throwing stones toward him and showering dust.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:13
David and his men went along the road. Shimei went along the mountainside beside him, walking and cursing, throwing stones from his flank and showering dust.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The relative-position expressions differ. Both retain the continued curses, stones, and dust; the Hebrew continuation across a paragraph break is included.
Verse MT 16:14 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:14
The king and all the people with him arrived weary, and he refreshed himself there.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:14
The king and all his people arrived exhausted, and they refreshed themselves there.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew ends with singular he, Greek plural they. Neither checked text names a new destination in this verse; no place name is inserted for weary.
Betrayal and the public rupture of the household
Editorial continuation of the Passion-related reception of David’s flight [S3]. The narrative’s coercive royal setting is not turned into a claim that Christ committed or endorsed these acts.
16:15–19 | Hushai’s professed service
Verse MT 16:15 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:15
Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, entered Jerusalem, with Ahithophel beside him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:15
Absalom and every man of Israel entered Jerusalem, with Ahithophel beside him.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Hebrew has both the people and the men of Israel; Greek one collective description. Both expressly include Ahithophel.
Verse MT 16:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:16
When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:16
When Hushai the Archite, David’s companion, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king!”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew repeats the acclamation; Greek has it once. Both identify Hushai by his association with David while he addresses Absalom.
Verse MT 16:17 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:17
Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:17
Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your mercy toward your companion? Why did you not depart with your companion?”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The project’s kindness / mercy distinction reflects the respective terms. Both question Hushai’s loyalty through the repeated friend or companion designation.
Verse MT 16:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:18
Hushai said to Absalom, “No. I will belong to the one whom YHWH, this people, and every man of Israel have chosen, and I will stay with him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:18
Hushai said to Absalom, “No. From now on I will belong to the one whom the Lord, this people, and every man of Israel have chosen, and I will stay with him.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew follows qere to him against written not [R16]. Greek explicitly has to him and adds a following or thereafter expression, provisionally rendered from now on. Hushai names no king within this claim.
Verse MT 16:19 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:19
And secondly, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I served before your father, so I will be before you.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:19
And secondly, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I served before your father, so I will be before you.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The rhetorical appeal and promised service agree. The repeated before language is retained.
16:20–23 | Ahithophel’s counsel and its execution
Verse MT 16:20 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:20
Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel about what we should do.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:20
Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Bring forward your counsel about what we should do.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both use a plural imperative and plural yourselves despite naming Ahithophel as addressee. The English permits a consultation group without inventing its members.
Verse MT 16:21 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:21
Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he left to guard the house. All Israel will hear that you have become abhorrent to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be strengthened.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:21
Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines, whom he left to guard his house. All Israel will hear that you have disgraced your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be strengthened.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew describes Absalom becoming abhorrent to his father; Greek his shaming his father. Both connect the act with political resolve.
Rabbinic: Rashi on 16:21 explains that supporters feared reconciliation would leave them exposed [R16].
Verse MT 16:22 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:22
They pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines before the eyes of all Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:22
They pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines before the eyes of all Israel.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both retain the public sexual action expressed by went in to. The women’s consent is not stated. The episode recalls the public judgment announced in 12:11–12 without adding that cross-reference to the translated text.
Verse MT 16:23 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:23
The counsel Ahithophel gave in those days was regarded as though a man had inquired of God’s word. So was all Ahithophel’s counsel, both to David and to Absalom.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:23
The counsel Ahithophel gave in former days was regarded as though one had inquired of God’s word. So was all Ahithophel’s counsel, both to David and to Absalom.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has those days and follows the checked qere man, supplied where the written text has no word [R16]. Greek has former days and an unexpressed inquirer. Regarded clarifies the comparison’s force; the narrator does not declare every proposal to be a divine command.