Rebellion of Absalom, David’s Son
461
the capital. At David’s request, Hushai returned to Jerusalem to offer
his services to Absalom and defeat the crafty counsel of Ahithophel.
With this gleam of light in the darkness, the king and his followers
pursued their way down the eastern slope of Olivet, through a rocky
and desolate waste toward the Jordan. “And when King David came
to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house
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of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera... . And he cast
stones at David, and at all the servants of King David... . And thus said
Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and
thou man of Belial. The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of
the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath
delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold,
thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.”
In David’s prosperity, Shimei had not shown that he was not loyal.
He had honored David upon his throne, but cursed him in his humilia-
tion. Inspired by Satan, he wreaked his hatred upon him whom God
had chastened.
David had not been guilty of wrong toward Saul or his house.
Much of his life had been spent amid scenes of violence; but of all who
have passed through such an ordeal, few have been so little affected
by its hardening, demoralizing influence as was David.
David’s nephew, Abishai, could not listen patiently to Shimei’s
insulting words. “Why,” he exclaimed, “should this dead dog curse
my lord the king? Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.”
But the king forbade him. “Behold,” he said, “my son ... 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. It may be that the
Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me
good for his cursing this day.”
David Knows This Trouble Is the Consequence of His Sin
While his faithful subjects wondered at his sudden reverse of for-
tune, it was no mystery to the king. He had often had forebodings of
an hour like this. He had wondered that God had so long borne with
his sins. And now in his hurried and sorrowful flight, he thought of
his loved capital, the place which had been the scene of his sin. As
he remembered the long-suffering of God, he felt that the Lord would
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