2 Samuel 16:10

New King James Version

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?’

For Meditation

There is an insurrection in the palace. The favorite son of the king has won the hearts of the people over his father. He moves to gain the support of key officials of his father’s court. The news gets to King David, and what does he do? David runs for his life. Can you believe it? The giant killer runs from his son! 

I believe this was a strategy to avoid a bloodbath in the palace, which would have taken the life of Absalom. David never wanted Absalom dead (18:5). He created an atmosphere of surrender to find a way from God to end the insurrection. 

Shimei, from the tribe of Benjamin, meets the entourage of David and pelts him with insults (16:5-8). Abishai seeks permission to end his miserable life with one strike with his sword, but David rebukes him. Perhaps this was from the Lord, David surmises (9-1). I love what he said after that.

“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” (11-12).

Did you hear that? Perspective is everything. Compared to what his son had done to him, the curses of Shimei paled into insignificance.

There is one truth every one of us, especially leaders, will have to learn quickly if we want clear hearts to live and lead peacefully, and defeat the enemy of our soul. 

The offense is not so much in what somebody says or does, but more in how we react to it. How we receive, process and move on what people say against us may become the real arrow shot from their bow. 

David put Shimei’s words and actions in their proper perspective and gained a victory over his provocation that would have shifted his focus and the primary task before him. He continued his journey, for he had crafted an excellent plan to wire the palace and get information for his strategy. Finally, David came back to Jerusalem, and Shimei later died in his disobedience to King Solomon.

This day begins a new week after Thanksgiving Sunday. Continue to focus on God and listen to people through the ears of the King Eternal you celebrated yesterday. Put them in their proper perspective and ride over them in victory—the way of David and later Christ. Your reaction to the offense is what will affect you most not the offense itself.