16:4 David believed Ziba’s charge against Mephibosheth without checking into it or even being skeptical. Don’t be hasty to accept someone’s condemnation of another, especially when the accuser may profit from the other’s downfall. David should have been skeptical of Ziba’s comments until he checked them out for himself.
16:5-14 Shimei kept up a steady tirade against David. Although his curses were unjustified because David had had no part in Saul’s death, David and his followers quietly tolerated the abuse. Maintaining your composure in the face of unjustified criticism can be a trying experience and an emotional drain, but if you can’t stop criticism, it is best just to ignore it. Remember that God knows what you are enduring, and he will vindicate you if you are in the right.
16:21, 22 This incident fulfilled Nathan’s prediction that because of David’s sin, another man would sleep with his wives (12:11, 12). (See the note on 3:6, 7 for the cultural significance of this act.)
16:23 Ahithophel was an adviser to Absalom. Most rulers had advisers to help them make decisions about governmental and political matters. They probably arranged the king’s marriages as well because these were usually politically motivated unions. But God made Ahithophel’s advice seem foolish, just as David had prayed (15:31).