Today, 12 September 2026
2 Samuel 16:11-12 …Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today
King David and his companions, while they were fleeing away from Absalom, were met by Shimei, who was of the family of the house of Saul. He cursed David and pelted David and his men with stones. Quite naturally, Abishai, one of David’s mighty men, would have taken Shimei’s head had David not restrained him. He takes pains to explain why he has held his peace, and why Abishai and the rest should too: “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David’, who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ Behold my own son seeks my life, how much more this Benjamite! Leave him alone, let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.”
This has to be one of the moments when I have felt so awed by David’s kingly attitude, and have had but to assent that this indeed was a man after God’s own heart. I doubt it very much that I would have let a man speak to me as Shimei spoke to King David. Even now the little and inconsequential man that I am, I am still stricken in my heart when someone insults me. Two things stand out in David’s case for restraint. First is his insistence not to settle the score himself. He, clearly, would rather have had God be in his debt, perhaps knowing only too well that in avenging himself he would end up forfeiting God’s reward. Second was his acknowledgement of the possibility that Shimei cursed him because God had told him to do so. Now, I am sure that if God had told Shimei to curse David, Shimei would have not known it at all but would have only done it out of spite. If this indeed was so, that God had told Shimei to curse David, we who are so keen not to be cursed, or insulted, or despised, or dishonoured, have a terribly important lesson to learn here.
God’s ways are, on most times, not entirely understood by us. His concept of fairness, were we to attempt to get to the bottom of it, would blow our minds. Whatever the circumstances of our life, or our experiences, harsh and terrible though they may be, we must hold firmly to the conviction and sincerely believe that God is good, and that he is fair– assured that so long as God is watching over us, nothing bad can happen to us that is not good for us. When it has to do personally with us, however unfair we might perceive ourselves to be treated, we must resist the temptation of wanting to take an eye for an eye. It is much much better to have God in your debt, and knowing how that God shall be no man’s debtor, it’s a wonder if such a thing is even possible. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)
“When you give a dinner or a banquet,” Jesus taught, “do not invite your friends or brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:12-13) showing in very certain terms that it was better to be rewarded, to be paid back by God, rather than men. And, again, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…” (Matthew 5:11-12) It is of course easier to say than to do, but still God enjoins it, that we love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and put all our hope and expectation of justice into his hands. It is infinitely better and much safer that way, and the reward is a more glorious one. Forgive, and let God do what seems good to him. And I know that there isn’t anything that would be better or more right than what he does.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Thank you because you yourself have shown us great kindness and mercy and love, now teach us to extend the same to those who insult, resist, and persecute us. Cause us to trust your justice, never going so far as attempting to avenge ourselves. In Jesus Name. Amen.