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Friday, 20 December 2024

2 Samuel 16:5-10 - He pelted David

16:5-8

Another man from Saul’s family, Shimei, now spends his time cursing and throwing rocks at David. He viewed the situation as an opportunity to get revenge for David defeating Saul. He accused David of being a murderer and a scoundrel. David, of course, was actually a murderer, though the death of Uriah is probably not what Shimei was thinking about. So Shimei’s actual accusations were false, for God had given the kingdom to David, and David had spared Saul’s life on at least two occasions. However, David knew he actually was a murderer, so the accusation may well have had an effect on him.


16:9,10

Abishai was loyal to David, and was always keen to act (1 Sam 26:6-9; 2 Sam 2:18,24; 3:30). So he offered to go and behead Shimei. David, however, refused to let him do that. Possibly partly because of his own guilt, partly because of his sense of righteousness. David thinks that whatever Shimei’s personal motives, this could be the will of the Lord. People who do the Lord’s will don’t always know that they are doing so.


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