Longsuffering

I suppose I could’ve used the word “patience” when titling this blog, but “longsuffering” seems to fit better. 

David certainly suffered a lot during this time with his son taking over his kingdom, his wisest counselor betraying him, and his best friend’s son doing the same. (Supposedly, anyway. We’ll get to that in another blog,)

Now this uncouth man named Shimei, a relative of King Saul, was cursing David out.

It would’ve been easy for that to be the tipping point to David going over the edge: to do as his nephew Abishai suggested and to have this “dead dog’s” head cut off. 

But despite all he was going through at that time, all the hurt he had received from people close to him and that he loved, David refused to take his anger out on this more or less stranger, no matter how much provocation Shimei gave him.

David said,

My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite!

Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 

It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today. (2 Samuel 16:11-12)

How do you respond to people when they hurt you or insult you? 

Do you lash back? 

Or do you let it go?  Do you put your suffering in the hands of God?

It’s not easy.  And I’m not necessarily saying that if people hurt you that you should just keep your mouth shut.  You should try to reconcile with that person, and make peace. 

That may not be possible, however.  Certainly, Shimei was in no mood to make peace with David.  And reconciliation has to be a two-way thing. 

But as much as it depends on you, make peace.

And if it’s not possible, then take your hurt to God and let him deal with it.  Ask for his help to forgive and for wisdom on how to deal with the situation. 

Let us be like Jesus, who,

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.  (1 Peter 2:23)