PursuingYHWH

As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family. He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him.

“Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. “The LORD is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the LORD has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!”

“Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?” Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. “Let me go over and cut off his head!”

“No!” the king said. “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the LORD has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?”

Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to do it.

And perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.”

So David and his men continued down the road, and Shimei kept pace with them on a nearby hillside, cursing as he went and throwing stones at David and tossing dust into the air.
2 Samuel: 16: 5-13

King David is fleeing for his life and leaving his kingdom due to his son Absalom seizing power.

We know from reading earlier that this is a consequence of David’s sins with Bathsheeba. Regardless of the cause, this was a difficult and conflicting time wrought with internal struggle and guilt and frustration.

As he is fleeing with his family, support staff, loyal soldiers etc. they pass through a town and a man Shimei hurls insults at King David and his men. One of David’s soldiers offers to cut this dude’s head off (legit).

But David orders the soldier not to. And he says the Lord told Shimei to insult David. How did David know this? Probably the Holy Spirit told David. But Shimei is wrong about stealing Saul’s throne. God took it from Saul and gave it to David due to Saul’s disobedience. Saul and his sons were killed in battle – not by the hand of David even though David had a few opportunities to kill Saul he never did. David did not murder Saul nor his sons so he was not a murder of Saul’s clan as Shimei said. Wrong.

But if God told Shimei to insult David, why wouldn’t it be an accurate insult? Why didn’t Shimei said that these are your consequences for committing adultery with Bathsheeba and for murdering her husband?

I don’t know.

But one thing Shimei got right was that David was a murder. He had Bathsheeba’s husband killed in battle. He planned it and ordered it. He murdered Bathsheeba’s husband.

We could go in a number of different directions here but I want to focus on this one thing.

David was quick to listen and allowed this painful reminder of his sins to continue on. He didn’t stop it like most would (including myself).

Instead, David says, ” …perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.”

David was being wronged because Shimei was insulting him about something that was incorrect.

Instead of allowing Shimei’s death, David protects him and allows Shimei to continue hurling insults as David’s group passes through.

I think this story shows that David was seeking God in adversity – in every interaction. He is looking for God’s hand in every situation/interaction. He is sensitive to God’s movement.

We can learn a very important lesson here. When adversity comes, when insults come, we should listen to them and ask God, Lord what are you telling me here? Is there any truth to it?

Your boss gives you hard time and says you’re not performing well. Is that true Lord? Do I need to tighten up here?

If there is truth to the insult – repent/get right with God and then push forward. Improve, perform better, get serious. You are representing Christ in your workplace, at home, out on the town.

If there is no truth – and it is just wrong, don’t try to argue or correct the person.

Do what David did, and let the Lord bless you for taking it in the face without reacting in violence or defense.

This is the definition of taking lemons and turning into lemonade. Except we let God make the lemonade.

I hope this encourages you today and that you let God fight your battles and reward you for the wrongs others do to you.

And forgive them just as Jesus forgave us!

Your brother in the trenches along side you,
Dave