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.
Ver. 11. Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels.] If we can therefore suffer because we have suffered, as David did from Shimei, but first from Absalom, then we have profited by our afflictions: then "patience hath her perfect work." Jam 1:4 A weak heart faints with every addition of succeeding sorrow: the strong re-collecteth itself, and, like an old beaten porter to the cross, tolerare mavult guam deplorare, rather carrieth it, than crieth out of it. See Job 23:2. See Trapp on " Job 23:2 "
Seeketh my life.] Not only is he sick of my long life - as Adolphus Egmondanus lately was of his father Arnold's, duke of Geldria, whom he kept prisoner six years for living so long - but seeketh to destroy it: as did Tullia, Nero, Solymus, Amidas, &c. a
For the Lord hath bidden him.] It is he who hath turned this dead dog loose upon me. This seeing of God in crosses as the chief agent, whatever the instrument be, is an excellent help to true patience. If a man meet a prince, and know him not, he will not give him due reverence: so if we see not God in our sufferings we shall not so well submit to him; David, for instance, when he went against Nabal.
a Cominaeus.