Samuel 16:6-7

New International Version

He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel!

For Encouragement

The old gentleman sat in the witness box, his gray facial hair neatly groomed, and with a dignified look. He was the prosecution’s star witness in their high-profile case. The jury noted his responses to the savvy defense attorney with piqued interest and admiration. Mr. Koomson had their confidence, and their verdict was almost inevitable. However, as the defense attorney was to take her seat, she jumped back up and walked to the jury, her quizzical look almost disconcerting. She turned sharply and faced the confident older man in the witness box.

“Mr. Komston, or what did you say your name was?”

“Koomson,” the witness said.

“Oh, I am sorry. Mr. Konten. Is that right?”

“No! The name is Koomson—K-o-o-m- s-o-n—Koomson!” the witness almost shouted. His face tightened as he adjusted himself in his seat.

The lady defense attorney smiled. She was going somewhere, and she knew she had the old British barrister-at-law in the noose, so she dragged him until suffocation point. The witness spewed some embarrassing profanities. You would have seen a red face had he not been a black man of Ghanaian origin. The line of questioning changed at that point, his fierce anger causing him to reveal a false claim on an old CV that instantly destroyed the credibility of his witness. The lady defense attorney triumphantly rested her case and nodded at the jury.

What did the defense attorney want from the prosecution witness but to discredit his testimony? Every provocateur has a purpose, and it is never desirable. The believer in Christ Jesus must therefore be alert and sober-minded (1 Pet. 5:8), always ready to defend their faith.

Shemei’s provocation of David had a similar goal. What an added spectacle it would have been to see King David angry and engaged in a heated argument with that Benjamite! His retreat from his insurrectionist son, Absalom, was already painful and disgraceful. The guilt of his sin with Bathsheba weighed heavily on his mind, with the consequences of rape and murder in his home. David was at his lowest point, and the enemy struck hard, using Shemei. Please make no mistake, he knows your weakest points too, and will exploit them. Thank God David had divine perspective. If God had not allowed it, Shemei could not have had the opportunity (2 Sam. 16:10-12). Therefore, he brushed aside the revenge his generals suggested (9) and thus defeated the enemy, guided by the wisdom and grace of God.

The Israelites provoked Moses in the wilderness until he broke and displayed impatience at Kadesh and lost the opportunity to lead them to the Promised Land (Nu. 20:2-13).

The enemy came at Jesus throughout His earthly life, but none so heartless as on the cross. The insults from passersby, the mockery from the chief priests and teachers of the law (Mk. 15:27-32), and one of the two criminals on the cross (Lk. 23:39). Their purpose was to incite our Savior to sin. However, Jesus did not take the bait. Instead, “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). He is our example in the face of such opposition. Look to the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, so you do not grow weary and lose heart (13).

It is a new week, and just as you have planned an aggressive schedule for a breakthrough, so has the enemy initiated his plan to thwart your moves. His cohorts will come through instigation, insinuations, insults, mockery, and deception to provoke you to failure. Do not give them what they want. Remember, you are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus (Rm. 8:37). Stand tall with Him, for in our Savior, you have the victory.

Pray with Me

Father, I thank you that you have instructed me concerning the schemes of the enemy before he strikes at me this week. Grant me the spiritual sensitivity and serenity to stay one step ahead of him each time in the matchless name of Jesus. Amen.

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