2 Samuel 16:5-19

5Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came.

6And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

7Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: “Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue!

8The Lord has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!”

9Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!”

10But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David.’ Who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ”

11And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him.

12It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”

13And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust.

14Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.

15Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him.

16And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”

17So Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”

18And Hushai said to Absalom, “No, but whom the Lord and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain.

19Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father’s presence, so will I be in your presence.”