2 Samuel 16:1-23
16:1 David still resides in the mountain away from the city. Ziba meets David and brings provision: donkeys, loaves of bread and raisins, fruits and wine.
16:2 David asks Ziba why he brought so much. We see another glimpse of David's character; for although David is king, he does not expect the people under his authority to spoil him. He's genuinely curious as to why Ziba would bring so much. Ziba claims to have honorable intentions: the provisions are meant for David's men, to make their travel easier and their bodies strong.
16:3 Though Ziba seems to have honorable intentions, he tells David that Jonathan's family has turned against him. Ziba claims that Mephibosheth seeks to claim the throne that Saul, his grandfather, formerly had.
16:4 David transfers his support and gratitude to Ziba and Ziba accepts.
16:5 Meanwhile, tensions are rising against David. A man named Shimei (a relative of Saul) questions David's authority and seeks the restoration of Saul's kingship.
16:6 Shimei proves to be a vile man: he's angry and violent. With a group of men around him, Shimei curses David and thrones stones at him and the people with him.
16:7-8 Shimei accuses David of being a bloodthirsty man. Ironically, the truth is that David refused on multiple occasions to kill or even harm Saul. David never intended or plotted to take the throne from Saul. Those loyal to Saul hope that the feud between David and Absalom will create an opportunity for a new king to rise.
16:9 Those loyal to David, are repulsed by Shimei's behavior and accusations against him. They want to silence Shimei, take his life, for they find it presumptuous of him to act against king David.
16:10-11 But David commands his servants to stand down. David allows the man to speak freely. After all, no one is more aware of the truth of David's flaws than David himself. David will not command a man to be killed for calling him bloodthirsty; David knows that there have been moments in his life where this accusation is actually true.
Moreover David understands Shimei's tantrum as a moment of learning. David is not perfect and throughout his life, situations arise to remind him of the ways he can still improve his actions and responses to difficult circumstances. The moment provides David an opportunity to evidence to God that he is indeed a changed and repentant man; it is an opportunity to show God that he is the same man he has been in the good and faithful moments of his life as well. He will not needlessly kill the people in his life who present a challenge to him.
David had Uriah killed because he presented a challenge to him. Wrapped in denial and deception and lust, David went against himself and succumbed to his imperfections. For some time in his life, David stopped trusting in God's ability to plan and provide and he stole something that did not belong to him. David will not steal another life when he knows there is a greater purpose underneath the accusations against David. If David were to kill Shimei, he would be denying that he has been a bloodthirsty man. God has healed and restored and forgiven David precisely because David has admitted to that specific flaw.
Ultimately, Shimei's accusation was off base and perhaps uwarrented. But David is not concerned with Shimei or the ruckus around him, he is focused solely on God. Therefore, resolution is certain. David's restraint communicated to God that he trusted God to handle the situation.
16:12-14 David chooses to walk by faith. Although Shimei follows and torments and taunts David, David is unyielding in his decision to trust God's will. The situation causes us to ask ourselves, can we be taunted away from God's way? David chooses to accept the situation as a lesson from God rather than a personal conflict between himself and Shimei.
The people with David grew weary and needed refreshment. And likely it was a difficult journey for David as well. Shimei is a symbol for all of the things, people, and circumstances in our selves that seek to derail us: anxiety, insecurity, fear, enemy, greed, hopelessness. Though they make us weary, they must not make us fall. If those things are persistent, so must our strength of faith be.
16:15-16 On Absalom's side of things, Hushai arrives to declare his (fake) allegiance in order to infiltrate Absalom's group.
16:17-19 Absalom reasonably questions Hushai's sincerity but Hushai claims that he follows the allegiance of the people, and since they have switched sides, so had he.
16:20 Absalom seeks the advice of Ahithophel. David previously wished that Ahithophel's advice would become foolish; in this instance, David probably regretted that wish.
16:21-22 Ahithopel's advice is indeed foolish... and also unjust and cruel. Ahitophel instructs Absalom to lie with David's wives. If Absalom claims David's wives, his position as king will not be refuted. Therefore, that is exactly what Absalom does. David had left his family to remain home while he fled to the wilderness. Absalom claimed them.
16:23 Ahithopel's advice was highly regarded; everyone listened to and obeyed his counsel. Again we see the stark difference between a faithful and unfaithful ruler; Absalom would do anything to ensure his position as king: betray his family, harm his family, corrupt the tribes of Israel, deceive and usurp.
