SCRIPTURE: 2 SAMUEL 16
DAVID AND ZIBA (vs. 1-4)
Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth was waiting to meet David. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with 200 loaves of bread, 100 cakes of raisins, 100 cake of figs and as skin of wine. Then the king asked Ziba: Where is Mephibosheth?” Ziba answered: “He is staying in Jerusalem because he thinks Israel will give him back his grandfather’s kingdom. Then David said to Ziba: “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours” (v. 4)
SHIMEI CURSES DAVID (vs. 1-14)
Shimei was a man from the clan of Saul’s family. When King David approached Bahurim, he cursed David and his officials and pelted him with stones. He called David a man of blood and accused him of shedding blood in the household o f Saul. Then Abishai wanted to kill Shimei but David forbid him to do so. David and his men continued along the road and arrived at their destination exhausted.
THE ADVICE OF HUSHAI AND AHITHOPHEL (vs. 15-23)
David’s friend Hushai went to Absalom and Absalom asked him why he left his friend David. Hushai answered: “I will remain with you because you are the one chosen by the Lord, the people and all the men of Israel” (v. 18). He told Absalom that he wanted to serve him.
Absalom asked advice from Ahithophel. Ahithophel answered: “Lie with your father’s concubine to openly declare his breakup with David so that the hands of everyone with you will be strengthened. So, they pitched a tent for Absalom in the roof and he laid with his father’s concubine in the sight of all Israel.
THOUGHTS:
DAVID’S FRIENDS AND ENEMIES:
- Ziba was a liar and an opportunist who took advantage of Mephibosheth to gain wealth.
- Shimei was an accuser blaming David for the destruction of Saul’s family and kingdom.
- Abishai wanted to take revenge immediately but David restrained him.
- Ahithophel was David’s counselor who turned traitor and sided with Absalom.
- Hushai was a real friend to David who risked himself to protect David.
David believed Ziba’s charge against Mephibosheth without checking into it. Do not be hasty to accept someone’s condemnation of another without verifying the truth. There are people who want to profit from the downfall of others.
David calmly tolerated the abuse of Shimei by maintaining composure in the face of unjustified criticism. Let us follow the example of David by being patient and ignoring criticism because God will vindicate for us.