2 Samuel 16:5

2 Samuel 16:5 says, And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.  When David got to Bahurim, he encountered a relative of Saul who came toward him cursing as he came.  David had done nothing to Saul and was anointed king by God, but the man still didn't honor nor accept Him.  People today treat God the same way, blaming Him for all that is wrong in their life, even though He has done nothing but good by providing a way of salvation.  Veres six adds, And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. Not only did this man come cursing David, he also was throwing rocks at David and all his men.  Matthew Henry says that Shimei had likely always had hatred for David since Saul’s death, but in David’s current situation he felt empowered to take action, but he he was still only throwing rocks.  Sometimes, we may be guilty of figuratively throwing rocks at God as though we think He is incapable of doing anything to us.  Verse seven continues, And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:  Shimei challenged David to come out and accused him of being a follower of Belial, or the devil.  If Shimei were correct in his assumption that David had usurped the throne that he thought God had placed Saul on, then David would have had to seize the throne by the power of the devil.  We can have people make assumptions about us if they believe that they know more about God's will than we do.  Verse eight concludes, The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.  Shimei then attributed David’s current situation with Absalom assuming the throne, to God's punishment of David for how Shimei perceived David to have treated Saul.  We as followers of Christ cannot afford to make faulty assumptions about other people when they are suffering in life.  David was still loyal to God, but he as suffering in life, and this may be the situation with our fellow Christians today.  Verse nine states, Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.  Abishai asked David why he should allow Shimei to continue to curse him like a dog, when he was still the king, and offered to go and behead Shimei.  At times, we may ask the same thing of God today.  We may wonder why He allows the people of the world to curse and dishonor Him, since He is still the Ruler of the universe.  Verse ten adds, And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?  David basically said to leave Shimei alone and that if he believed that God had told him to curse David, who was David to stop him.  David wasn't really concerned with Shimei and punishing him, and we often need to just let people do what they are going to do, especially if it really doesn't hurt us.  Verse eleven declares, And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.  David said that since Absalom, his own son, sought to kill him, what more could Shimei do, and told all his men to leave Shimei alone.  We as Christians need to know where our ral enemies are and not get distracted by those who are only a pest.  Shimei really didn't have it in his power to do much harm to David and his men, but Absalom did.  Verse twelve adds, It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.  Basically, David said he would leave the situation with Shimei up to God and that maybe God would bring some good out of Shimei's cursing.  We often need to just leave it up to God to deal with those who might curse us and pray that He will bring good from the situation.  Verse thirteen continues, And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. As David as his men went on, Shimei continued to follow them and throw stones at them. Still, he was no real threat to David, and since David had left it up to God to deal with the situation, he didn't worry about it.  Anytime we leave the outcome of a situation up to God, we no longer need to be concerned about it.  Verse fourteen concludes, And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.  David and his men became weary and refreshed themselves there, still ignoring Shimei and his threats.  Even if the people of the world are threatening us today, sometimes we just need to stop and be refreshed by God, even if the threat remains.