Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. --2 Sam 16:5
King David's adultery and subsequent murder of Uriah the Hittite brought serious consequences. God had put away his sin but not the consequences, and Absalom his son was now plotting to take his life.
So David and his faithful retinue flees. Along the way, Shimei, a man related to King Saul, throws stones at him and curses. One of David's commanders desires to "take off his head." 2 Sam 16:9. How dare he do such things to the king?
What will David decide?
David is the rightful king, appointed by God. He never behaved improperly toward the former king, Saul, but remained faithful--as faithful as he could be. We remember that for years Saul chased David around the countryside, seeking to kill him.
Ultimately, God established David as king in the place of Saul. He had great success on the battlefield and the kingdom was well established at the time of this story. His children were grown and had places of responsibility. But now he is reaping the consequences of his great and secret sin. He is reaping these things openly. His own son has risen against him.
How must he feel? Undoubtedly he saw the hand of God in the series of awful events now unfolding. But it must have been humbling. And worse, he loved his son Absalom. How could it have felt for his own son to turn against him to the point of seeking his life?
He explains how he feels when Shimei curses him:
But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord has said to him, 'Curse David.' Who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'" And David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him. It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day."--2 Sam 16:10-12
We are generally tempted to blame "flesh and blood"--people--when those individuals harm us. Certainly we are all morally responsible for our choices, and Shimei was responsible for his. In fact, he came to a bad end eventually (1 Kings 2:36-46).
But David saw beyond this. Like Job, David didn't waste time bringing Satan into the picture. He knew that God was sovereign over all things, including Satan's activities and the choices evil men make. God's sovereignty is a great comfort to the suffering believer.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.--Rom 8:28
David saw this truth, and it is a truth that will save us from bitterness. Because Shimei's accusations hit awfully close to home--he called David a "bloodthirsty man." Did this accusation remind David of the innocent Uriah, whom David killed via the sword of the Ammonites?
Often, when others accuse us, there is at least a partial truth embedded in the lie. Our natural, fleshly reaction is to be defensive, to explain why it's not as bad as all that. Perhaps you've lashed out at someone in this defensive way.
Christ tells us to turn the other cheek. He experienced it too--the accusations, the betrayal by a close friend. God will give us peace if we trust our sufferings to His sovereignty and great goodness.
So let him curse.
