Day 144 – 2 Samuel 16:5-12
Scripture Review
2 Samuel 16:5-12
"And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came." (2 Samuel 16:5)
Shimei, from the family of the house of Saul, comes out to meet David in Bahurim. There is obvious old bitterness in his heart. He comes out cursing as he comes.
"And he cast 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." (2 Samuel 16:6)
Shimei is throwing stones at David and at David's servants. David show great restraint. Shimei is attacking a king who is surrounded by soldiers who could stop him quickly.
"And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:" (2 Samuel 16:7)
Shimei is putting words with his hatred. He calls David wicked and worthless. He is accusing David concerning Saul's house. That charge is twisted. David had not hunted Saul's family. He had refused to lift his hand against Saul.
"The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man." (2 Samuel 16:8)
It is funny how Shimei trying to explain David's suffering for him. He says the LORD has returned the blood of Saul's house upon David and has given the kingdom to Absalom. Shimei is wrong about David taking Saul's throne by blood. David waited on the LORD. David would not kill Saul in the cave. David would not kill Saul when he found him sleeping in the camp. David did not seize the throne by murdering Saul. But David also knows he is not innocent before God in everything. Nathan's rebuke still hangs over this whole road. The sword in David's house is real. So David hears a wrong accusation while living under real chastening.
"Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head." (2 Samuel 16:9)
Abishai wants to defend David. He calls Shimei a dead dog and asks permission to cut off his head. He sees disrespect toward the LORD's anointed. But Abishai's answer is the sword.
"And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?" (2 Samuel 16:10)
David stops Abishai. He says, "What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah?" David has had trouble before with the sons of Zeruiah being too ready with the sword. David says, "so let him curse." That is not weakness. That is submission. David believes the LORD has allowed this moment. If the LORD has permitted Shimei to curse, David will not demand that the curse be silenced by blood.
"And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him." (2 Samuel 16:11)
David now puts Shimei's insult beside Absalom's betrayal. His own son is seeking his life. Compared to that wound, Shimei's cursing is smaller. This shows how deeply David has been humbled.
"It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day." (2 Samuel 16:12)
David leaves the matter with the LORD. He says maybe the LORD will look on his affliction and repay him good for Shimei's cursing. He trusts that the LORD sees what men do not see.
I think he is finally learning he needs to wait on God. The young David waited while Saul hunted him. The older David now waits while Shimei curses him.