God’s Story... For My Life
Shimei Curses David
Read 2 Samuel 16:5-14
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!”
(2 Samuel 16:5-8)
Reflect
Shimei kept up a steady tirade against David. Shimei’s curses were unjustified because David had had no part in Saul’s death, but David chose to tolerate the abuse instead of retaliating. David consistently endured injustice against him in this way (1 Samuel 24:2-7; 25:32-35; 26:18, 24). David refused to exact revenge or escalate the violence. Instead, he put his cause into God’s hands.
Paul encouraged the Romans to let God measure out justice (Romans 12:17-19). He encouraged the Corinthians to accept injustice and be cheated rather than take another believer to court (1 Corinthians 6:7). Peter reminded God’s people, “It is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” (1 Peter 3:17). Micah committed to God the suffering he’d experienced (Micah 7:9).
Respond
Whether you’re suffering petty insults or gross injustice, put vengeance and justice in the hands of God. Only he can judge rightly, and only he can measure out justice perfectly. Remember that God knows what you are enduring, and he will give you justice.