The Way
Shimei's Stones
A king who put away the sword under stones and curses
Story
As they reached Bahurim, a man came down from the hillside. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the family of Saul. Shimei threw stones at the king and his officials and shouted, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! You took the place of the house of Saul, and now the Lord is paying you back for that blood. The kingdom has been handed over to your son Absalom.” Warriors with swords at their sides stood all around the king.
Abishai, Joab's brother, gripped the hilt of his sword. “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.” David shook his head. “What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If the Lord told him to curse David, who can blame him? My own son, my flesh and blood, is after my life. How much more this Benjamite? Leave him alone.”
David added in a low voice, “Perhaps the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good instead of the curses I hear today.” David and his men went on along the road. Shimei kept pace with them along the hillside opposite, cursing as he went, throwing stones and flinging dust. The king never raised his sword. Worn out, the people could only catch their breath when they reached a place to rest.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and David
My own son, my flesh and blood, is after my life. How much more this Benjamite! Leave him alone. The Lord has told him to do this.
Perhaps the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good in place of the curses he pours on me today.
Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.
Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man!
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 2 Sam 16:5–14
Background
Bahurim is thought to have been a Benjamite village beyond the Mount of Olives, on the road down from Jerusalem to the Jordan Valley. It was also the village where Michal's husband Paltiel, who had followed her weeping, turned back.
Pause and Reflect
Faced with unfair blame, can I leave it with God instead of reacting on impulse?