(9) 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. (10) 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? (11) 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. (12) It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
I have often admired the conduct of David upon this occasion, and have been secretly led to observe how graciously the LORD enabled him so to act. But I have been led yet more, both to admire and adore the LORD's mercy in the midst of his afflictions, in the plentiful supply of grace imparted to him. Well might David say that his song should be of mercy and judgment, and that he would direct this song unto GOD; for here, as well as in many other periods of his wonderful life, he found occasion to sing of both, as strikingly blended. GOD was evidently visiting him in judgment. But in the midst of judgment he gave him large proofs of mercy. I beg the Reader to take with him, in the perusal of David's conduct respecting Shimei, those several sweet instructions it brings. Let Shimei curse, saith David, for the LORD hath bidden him. Not that David meant that Shimei did right in what he did, as it respected himself; for Shimei's sin was the same, though the LORD overruled it for good; but he meant, that GOD was now afflicting David, and therefore made use of this rod, bad as it was, to accomplish his holy purpose. Reader! it is precious to justify GOD in all our afflictions. The LORD cannot do iniquity, that is certain. David saw the LORD's hand in it, and that was enough; he had not one word to say by way of complaint. Let him curse, the LORD hath bidden him. But this is not all: As the LORD's hand is in this affliction, David was led to hope therefrom an happy issue. It may be, said David, that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. No doubt David felt all that nature ought to feel in the reproaches of Shimei; but, beholding at the same time that the LORD had commissioned him, trust in GOD'S covenant promises made him conclude that the end would be peace. Reader! see whether your afflictions have this sanctified issue. Do you see the LORD'S hand in them? Do they lead you to GOD? Do they prompt you to approve of GOD? Job's prayer to this effect is a sweet prayer; That which I see not, teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. Job 34:32.