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2 Samuel 16:11-23 – Absalom Enters Jerusalem

Why doesn’t David stop Shimei? He says at the end of verse 11: ‘The LORD has told him to do it’. By that David recognises that it’s part of the consequences of his sin in committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering Uriah. David knows that God is a God of justice who is fulfilling his word. But he also knows more than that. He also knows that God is gracious. “It may be that the LORD will look on the wrong done to me, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing today.” (2 Samuel 16:12) How can David say that? How can David even consider the possibility that the LORD might look on his iniquity and replace cursing with goodness? Because he knows God’s character. He knows that the LORD has this strangely wonderful way of looking upon guilt and yet returning blessing instead of curse. Isn’t that what happened above all at the cross? The LORD looked at our iniquity – and he laid it on his Son – in order that he might return us blessing instead of cursing. And because of all that, David resists the natural human inclination to retaliate. Just as Jesus did when he told Simon Peter to put his sword away. In fact, when David says in verse 10: ‘What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?’ It’s hard not to think forward to Jesus rebuking James and John, the sons of Thunder, when they ask him if he wants to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume a village that didn’t receive him. So once again, as David walks away from Jerusalem to save his life, he reminds us of the Lord Jesus, walking to Jerusalem to give his life.

May God give us all grace to choose and keep choosing to follow God’s true king – whatever the consequences might be. Because we know that one day his kingdom will come – and his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Question

  1. Why doesn’t David stop Shimei?
  2. How does Christ turn cursing into blessing?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.