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.
Let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. The Orientals make use of bold figures, much less common among us, though not altogether unknown. They speak of the mediate cause without saying that it is the mediate cause, and use the very expression which denotes the immediate cause. We should regard Shimei as an instrument in the hands of Providence. In the East they go a far greater length. There God has done and commanded all that men do contrary to His commandments. Shimei breaks forth into imprecations against David; and forthwith David regards God as having ordered Shimei to curse him.