So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David. So David and his men proceeded along the roadDavid, the anointed king of Israel, is in a period of great distress as he flees from his son Absalom, who has usurped the throne. This journey is a humbling experience for David, reflecting the consequences of his past sins, particularly the incident with Bathsheba and Uriah. The road symbolizes the path of suffering and repentance that David must walk, reminiscent of the trials faced by God's chosen leaders throughout Scripture. as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him
Shimei, a member of the house of Saul, represents the lingering animosity and division within Israel. His position on the ridge signifies a place of perceived superiority and judgment over David. This scene echoes the broader theme of opposition faced by God's anointed, paralleling the rejection and scorn that Jesus would later endure from those who opposed His messianic mission. As Shimei went, he yelled curses
Shimei's curses are a manifestation of the deep-seated resentment against David, reflecting the political and personal grievances that have festered since Saul's reign. In the cultural context, cursing a king was a serious offense, yet David's restraint in not retaliating highlights his submission to God's sovereignty and justice, trusting that God will vindicate him in due time. threw stones
The act of throwing stones is symbolic of judgment and condemnation. In biblical times, stoning was a method of execution for blasphemy and other serious offenses. Shimei's actions can be seen as an attempt to publicly shame and condemn David, yet they also foreshadow the unjust accusations and physical abuse that Jesus would face during His passion. and flung dust at David
Flinging dust is an expression of contempt and derision, signifying the lowly state to which David has been reduced. This act underscores the humiliation and suffering that David endures, serving as a type of Christ, who bore the scorn and rejection of humanity. The imagery of dust also recalls the curse of the fall, highlighting the brokenness of the world and the need for redemption through God's chosen king. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who is fleeing from his son Absalom. David is a central figure in this passage, demonstrating humility and patience in the face of adversity. 2. ShimeiA member of the house of Saul, who curses and throws stones at David. His actions reflect the lingering animosity from Saul's supporters towards David. 3. AbsalomAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, Absalom's rebellion is the reason for David's flight. His betrayal sets the stage for the events in this chapter. 4. The RoadRepresents David's journey and the trials he faces. It is a physical path but also symbolizes the spiritual and emotional journey David is undergoing. 5. The HillsideShimei's position on the hillside signifies his opposition and the elevated position from which he hurls insults, both literally and figuratively. Teaching Points Responding to Persecution with GraceDavid's response to Shimei's cursing is a powerful example of humility and restraint. Instead of retaliating, David accepts the situation, trusting in God's justice. Trusting God's SovereigntyDavid's journey, despite being fraught with danger and humiliation, is marked by his trust in God's plan. Believers are encouraged to trust God's sovereignty in their own trials. The Power of ForgivenessBy not retaliating against Shimei, David demonstrates forgiveness. This act of grace is a model for Christians to forgive those who wrong them. Endurance in TrialsDavid's perseverance along the road, despite the insults and physical attacks, teaches believers the importance of enduring hardships with faith. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to Shimei's actions reflect his character and faith in God? 2. In what ways can we apply David's example of humility and restraint in our own lives when faced with opposition or criticism? 3. How does the context of Absalom's rebellion enhance our understanding of David's situation and his response to Shimei? 4. What other biblical figures demonstrate similar trust in God's sovereignty during times of trial, and what can we learn from their accounts? 5. How can the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament about loving enemies and forgiving others be seen in David's actions in this passage? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 3David's prayer during his flight from Absalom, expressing trust in God despite the adversity he faces. Matthew 5:44Jesus' teaching on loving enemies and praying for those who persecute you, which parallels David's response to Shimei's curses. Romans 12:19Paul's instruction on leaving vengeance to God, reflecting David's decision not to retaliate against Shimei. People Abishai, Absalom, Ahithophel, Arkite, David, Gera, Hushai, Mephibosheth, Saul, Shimei, Zeruiah, ZibaPlaces Bahurim, JerusalemTopics Along, Cast, Continued, Cursed, Cursing, David, Dirt, Dust, Dusted, Flung, Hill, Hill's, Hillside, Hill-side, Opposite, Over-against, Parallel, Revileth, Road, Sending, Shimei, Shim'e-i, Showering, Stones, Stoneth, Threw, ThrowingDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 16:13 6151 dirt 2 Samuel 16:5-13 5964 temper Library But Although Patience be a virtue of the Mind...
8. But although patience be a virtue of the mind, yet partly the mind exercises it in the mind itself, partly in the body. In itself it exercises patience, when, the body remaining unhurt and untouched, the mind is goaded by any adversities or filthinesses of things or words, to do or to say something that is not expedient or not becoming, and patiently bears all evils that it may not itself commit any evil in work or word. By this patience we bear, even while we be sound in body, that in the midst …
St. Augustine—On Patience Nob. Bahurim.
That Nob was placed in the land of Benjamin, not far from Jerusalem, whence Jerusalem also might be seen,--the words of the Chaldee paraphrast, upon Isaiah 10:32, do argue. For so he speaks; "Sennacherib came and stood in Nob, a city of the priests, before the walls of Jerusalem; and said to his army, 'Is not this the city of Jerusalem, against which I have raised my whole army, and have subdued all the provinces of it? Is it not small and weak in comparison of all the fortifications of the Gentiles, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica David and Jonathan's Son
'And David said, is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2. And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. 3. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4. And the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
I proceed now to the second aphorism or conclusion, that the godly are in some sense already blessed. The saints are blessed not only when they are apprehended by God, but while they are travellers to glory. They are blessed before they are crowned. This seems a paradox to flesh and blood. What, reproached and maligned, yet blessed! A man that looks upon the children of God with a carnal eye and sees how they are afflicted, and like the ship in the gospel which was covered with waves' (Matthew 8:24), …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized …
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem? Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
If thy sickness be like to increase unto death, then meditate on three things:--First, How graciously God dealeth with thee. Secondly, From what evils death will free thee. Thirdly, What good death will bring unto thee. The first sort of Meditations are, to consider God's favourable dealing with thee. 1. Meditate that God uses this chastisement of thy body but as a medicine to cure thy soul, by drawing thee, who art sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ, thy physician, to have thy soul healed …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 16:13 NIV2 Samuel 16:13 NLT2 Samuel 16:13 ESV2 Samuel 16:13 NASB2 Samuel 16:13 KJV
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