Theme: BE YE WISE AS SERPENTS AND HARMLESS AS DOVES
Text: “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. And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial”. – 2 Samuel 16:6,7.
Comment: In the days of King David, Absalom his son conspired to overthrow him by stealing the hearts of the people of Israel. The king had to flee with his household so that they would not be killed by Absalom and his loyalists. (2 Samuel 15:10-18) While David escaped from his son and came to Bahurim, “a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, …came forth, and cursed still as he came. And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial.” – 2 Samuel 16:5-7.
When Abishai the son of Zeruiah asked King David to allow him cut off his head, “…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. 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 16:11,12) Later on, Shimei was killed in the days of Solomon when he could not keep the conditions given to him. – 1 Kings 2:36-46.
David avoided using violence to respond to Shimei’s tantrums. He did not revenge but left things to God Who had said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord…” – Romans 12:17-21.