20240528

responding kindly

2 Samuel 16:5-14 (JDV)

2 Samuel 16:5 When King David got to Bahurim, a man belonging to the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he was yelling curses as he approached.
2 Samuel 16:6 He threw stones at David and at all the royal servants, the people and the warriors on David’s right and left.
2 Samuel 16:7 Shimei said as he cursed: “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man!
2 Samuel 16:8 Yahveh has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and Yahveh has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed!”
2 Samuel 16:9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and remove his head!”
2 Samuel 16:10 The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything? He curses me this way because Yahveh told him, ‘Curse David! ‘ Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that? ‘”
2 Samuel 16:11 Then David said to Abishai and all his servants, “Look, my own son, my own flesh and blood, intends to take my life — how much more now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone and let him curse me; Yahveh has told him to.
2 Samuel 16:12 Perhaps Yahveh will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.”
2 Samuel 16:13 So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei was going along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he cursed David, threw stones at him, and kicked up dust.
2 Samuel 16:14 Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived exhausted, so they rested there.

responding kindly

One of the reasons that Christians should be able to tolerate the kinds of abuse we experience is that we know ourselves. If we are honest, we know that we are not basically good. We cling to the cross because forgiveness is our only hope of a permanent life. When people like Shimei come into our path, we should be able to respond to their curses with kindness. It’s only fair. We know much worse about ourselves than they can report.