The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 408

Vel'I!. 5-1:'l.-Sliimei:'s curses. There are peculiar bitterness and morl\l peril In troubles which spring from, or l\re min1tled with, huml\n m&levolenoe. Such w118 David's affliction at this time. Abs11lom's unnatural conduct, Ahithophel's faithless- nc>ss, 11nd Shimei's cursing rendered his misfortunes much harder to bear than similar misfortunes coming from the ordinary vicissitudes of human life. I. SrrrnE1's ooRSING. A strikin~ picture here: David, in the midst of his people and Fervants, including his famous "Ironsides," marching along the ravine; and from 11 town on the heights, this fierce Benjamite rushing forth, cursing &nd throwing stones BS he comes ; and then. mo'l'ing !\long the ridge which overlooked the line of march keeping pace with the king and bis company, vomiting forth his rage in bitter taunt~ and reproaches, and casting down stones and dust ; his fury increased by the calmness with which those below marched on, heedless of his impotent rage. It was an outburst of feelings long pent up which dared not express themselves until David seemed to have fallen from his throne beyond recovery. Shimei was e. relative of Saul, and chose to regard Dand a.~ the author of that king's downfall, and of the humiliation of his house, and chargeable with all the bloodshed the.t had accompanied these changes. And now, in his view, the Divine retribution has at length visited David for his usur- pation of the throne, and the "bloody" measures by which he had reached tt; and he triumphs o,•er the fallen monarch with bitter resentment and scorn, and unmeasured invective, unsoftened by the spectacle of humiliation and grief which presented itself to his view. In his passion, like most angry people, he is not scrupulous in adherence to the truth. David was not guilty of wantonly shedding blood to .reach the throne; he had spared Saul again and again when he might have slain him; and he had punished with death one who professed to have killed him, and others who had tr<>acherously murdered his son. Nor was it nearer the truth to call David a" man of Belia!" (a worthless, wicked man). But Shimei cursed the more freely because that was the only way by which he could vent his malice: he was powerless to do anything else. Yet he showed some courage, or at least recklessness, in so freely reviling one who, though fallen, was surrounded by brave warriors, any one of whom could so easily have effectually silenced him (as Abishai desired to do), if permitted by their king. Violent anger is, however, often as regardless of prudence as of truth. Its courage is as that of a maniac. II. DA vm's MEEK ENDURANCE OF IT. He doubtless felt it to be annoying and humiliating to be thus bespattered in the presence of his friends, and trampled on so savagely by so contemptible a foe. To be falsely charged with crimes he had carefully avoided was no small addition to his already too heavy affliction. A very natural and justifiable resentment would prompt him to permit the swift punishment that Abishai begged to be aUowed to inflict. But he rest.rained such feelings, and meekly endured the insults heaped upon him. His words reveal the secret of his meekness 1. He re,e,ognized the infUction as from God. With the freedom which the sacred writers employ when speaking even of human wickedness as it fulfils Divine purposes, he declares that God had bidden Shimei to curse him (ver. 10), and no one must forbid him. Besides his general faith in God as universe.I and rightful Ruler, just and good, the memory of his own ill desert doubtless aided him, and the conviction that God was chastising him for his sins. Contrition prompted and nourished submission. He no longer saw in Shimei the cruel and vindictive slanderer, but the rod in the hand of his rightecn.u; yet merciful God. To his tormentor he would not have submitted, but to his heavenly Guide and Friend he could a.nd would. And evermore the best remedy for impatience and resentment under afflictions and provoc&tions is the recognition of our Father in heaven as ordering and appointing all; and the exercise towards him of confidence and love, humility and self-surrender. Thus Job discerned, behind and above Sa.beans and Chaldeans, lightnings and tempest ; and would have discerned behind and above Satan, if he could have known him as his accuser and the prompter and mediate cause of his calamities,-the Lord; and therefore could say, "The Lord gave," etc. (Job i. 21). Thus also One who was greater than Job or David could say, "The cup which my Father bath given me, shall I not drink it?" (John xvili. 11). 2. The thought of the greater trotibk of his BOn'B conduct helped to reconcile him to the luBer troobkof Shimefa. (Ver. 11.) What was chiefly burdening and paining his heart is shown in these words. The ravings of " this Benjamite" was a small matter i11 OH, XVI, 1-23.] 'fIIE Sf<:COND ROOK OF SAMUEL. 115