Trampled Upon When We are Down
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei . . . and he cursed as he came out. He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. As he cursed, Shimei said, ‘’Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The LORD has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The LORD has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!’’
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘’Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.’’ But the king said, ‘’What does this have to do with you . . . If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ ‘’ . . . ‘’My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. . . . Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will look upon my misery and restore to me His covenant blessing instead of His curse today.’’
So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself. 2 Samuel 16:5-14
Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, ‘’Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.’’ But the king said, ‘’What does this have to do with you . . . If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ ‘’ . . . ‘’My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. . . . Leave him alone; let him curse, for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will look upon my misery and restore to me His covenant blessing instead of His curse today.’’
So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself. 2 Samuel 16:5-14
Absalom had revolted against David and declared himself king. David was at the lowest point in his life as he traveled barefooted into exile with his entire household, troops and special guard weeping as they went along. As if that was not painful enough, Shimei came along cursing, insulting and pelting David with stones and dirt. Shimei’s message to David was clear: ‘’You are a sinful murderer! You deserve what you are getting! You are worse than dirt!’’ The interesting thing was that all through this insult, David could have ordered the troops to kill Shimei immediately but he did not. In fact, he resisted the suggestion to take Shimei’s life.
David’s response to the assault and taunting was remarkable: ‘’Leave him alone . . . for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will look upon my misery and restore to me His covenant blessing instead of His curse today.’’ We see a picture of David’s link into the heart of God. He submitted to God’s correction but still looked forward to a blessed future in which God could restore his fortunes. God’s will and desire were foremost on his mind.
The journey into exile was difficult, painful and exhausting but, ‘’the king and all the people with him arrived at their destination and there he refreshed himself.’’
The truth is: Some of the most painful attacks you will encounter will be when you are down in the pit and it seems as if God has rejected you and your dreams are going nowhere. That is when some will curse, pelt you with stones, and throw dirt at you.
But, even in those very challenging moments, see the hand of God in your situation because the Bible says we must give thanks in all things. You may be barefooted, exhausted and full of tears but you will surely arrive at your destination and you will be refreshed. It will be well.
David’s response to the assault and taunting was remarkable: ‘’Leave him alone . . . for the LORD has told him to. It may be that the LORD will look upon my misery and restore to me His covenant blessing instead of His curse today.’’ We see a picture of David’s link into the heart of God. He submitted to God’s correction but still looked forward to a blessed future in which God could restore his fortunes. God’s will and desire were foremost on his mind.
The journey into exile was difficult, painful and exhausting but, ‘’the king and all the people with him arrived at their destination and there he refreshed himself.’’
The truth is: Some of the most painful attacks you will encounter will be when you are down in the pit and it seems as if God has rejected you and your dreams are going nowhere. That is when some will curse, pelt you with stones, and throw dirt at you.
But, even in those very challenging moments, see the hand of God in your situation because the Bible says we must give thanks in all things. You may be barefooted, exhausted and full of tears but you will surely arrive at your destination and you will be refreshed. It will be well.
Prayer: Lord, there are times when I feel pelted with stones and dirt, but even in those situations, help me not to look at those pelting me but to focus on the fact that you will take me safely to my destination and refresh me. Amen.