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; the Lord has told him to. Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today.” (2 Samuel 16:11-12)
At this point of David’s reign as king of Israel, he has already performed evil acts in God’s eyes. He sleeps with a married woman, Bathsheba, and murders her husband, Uriah. God responds by pledging to bring disaster on David from his family. Tragedies soon follow, from the death of David and Bathsheba’s infant son, to David’s son Absalom killing his brother, then turning against his father by stealing the affections of the Israelites. Knowing that Absalom’s band of supporters is growing and his dwindling, David and his household promptly flee Jerusalem for their lives. While in escape, David continues to face God’s wrath by encountering Shimei of the house of Saul. Shimei curses David by exposing his sin and revealing that God willed David’s suffering.
David owns up to his sin and most likely recalls God’s announcement of punishing him for his sin and remembers his repentance (12:11,13). He remembers that God is sovereign by allowing a man from the house of Saul to curse David (12:13; 16:11-12). He also asks for God’s favor on him if the cursing is too much to bear (16:12). David accepts this curse as God’s judgment on him.
Despite this judgment, David hopes for God (16:12). We too have offended God. Only this time, we have a Savior and advocate in God the Son, Jesus. He lived among us, free from sin, but died a gruesome death on a cross for us. Like David, we also hope in God, having this promise from Him.
From the cross, we know that God isn’t angry at us anymore because He poured out His wrath on His Son who paid for our sins. Through repentance, may we turn away from sin and our old selves, trusting that Jesus already paid it all. May we seek God’s goodness and grace, the same undeserved favor He poured onto David.