hast usurped the kingdom in his stead, and the Lord hath
given the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and behold thy evils
press upon thee, because thou art a man of blood.

16:9. And Abisai the son of Sarvia said to the king: Why should this
dead dog curse my lord the king? I will go, and cut off his head.

16:10. And the king said: What have I to do with you, ye sons of Sarvia?
Let him alone and let him curse: for the Lord hath bid him curse David:
and who is he that shall dare say, why hath he done so?

Hath bid him curse... Not that the Lord was the author of Semei's sin,
which proceeded purely from his own malice, and the abuse of his free
will. But that knowing, and suffering his malicious disposition to break
out on this occasion, he made use of him as his instrument to punish
David for his sins.

16:11. And the king said to Abisai, and to all his servants: Behold my
son, who came forth from my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now a
son of Jemini? let him alone that he may curse as the Lord hath bidden
him.

16:12. Perhaps the Lord may look upon my affliction, and the Lord may
render me good for the cursing of this day.

16:13. And David and his men with him went by the way. And Semei by the
hill's side went over against him, cursing, and casting stones at him,
and scattering earth.

16:14. And the king and all the people with him came weary, and
refreshed themselves there.

16:15. But Absalom and all his people came into Jerusalem, and
Achitophel was with him.

16:16. And when Chusai the Arachite, David's friend, was come to
Absalom, he said to him: God save thee, O king, God save thee, O king.

16:17. And Absalom said to him, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? Why
wentest thou not with thy friend?

16:18. And Chusai answered Absalom: Nay: for I will be his, whom the
Lord hath chosen, and all this people, and all Israel, and with him will
I abide.

16:19. Besides this, whom shall I serve? is it not the king's son? as I
have served thy father, so will I serve thee also.

16:20. And Absalom said to Achitophel: Consult what we are to do.

16:21. And Achitophel said to Absalom: Go in to the concubines of thy
father, whom he hath left to keep the house: that when all Israel shall
hear that thou hast disgraced thy father, their hands may be
strengthened with thee.

Their hands may be strengthened, etc... The people might apprehend lest
Absalom should be reconciled to his father, and t