2 Sa. 16: Father Explains

2 Samuel 16:10 "But the king said, 'What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, "Curse David," who can ask, "Why do you do this?" ' "

Ziba reappears. He was the one who brought Mephibosheth to David when David wanted to shower favor on the house of Saul. Ziba returns the favor, bring a bunch of donkeys and provisions to David as he flees from Absalom. Apparently, David takes away what Mephibosheth presumed and gives it to Ziba. Mephibosheth was waiting in Jerusalem, lame, and waiting for the kingdom to return to him. It wasn't going to happen, so David gives it to Ziba. Maybe it was because Mephibosheth thought it would be Israel giving his grandfather's house back to him instead of God himself.

Suddenly, another dude, Shimei of the house of Saul (and so far, the only Japanese sounding name in the Bible) comes along as David is on his journey, and begins pelting rocks and cursing at David and his men. Shimei's hang up with David was apparently the blood David shed from the house of Saul. Did Shimei have a legitimate grievance? I doubt it. From what is recorded, David bent over backwards to prevent bloodshed in the house of Saul.

Refusing Abishai's suggestion to decapitate Shimei, David has a wacky attitude about. "Let him curse if God tells him to." Why would he say that? What kind of mind thinks of that, without wanting to kill the guy himself? David had a history of sort of being above the fray, being able to look at situations from God's perspective. What if God had told Shimei to curse him? What would David feel like thinking this? How would I feel if I knew God had told someone to curse me? Hard to figure. It wouldn't be a good feeling, certainly. I'd want to convene with myself and do a little business to figure out why such a thing would happen, but then again, David recognizes that God can do what He wants, without really giving any reason to man.

Hushai and Ahithophel were very trusted men. As David trusted their counsel, so did Absalom. Hushai satisfies Absalom with his explanation as to why he defected from David, while Ahithophel gives a bit of odd advice to Absalom...sleep with your father's concubines. This act would place Absalom firmly in charge, and make David seem cuckolded, weak. Remember 2 Samuel 12:11? The Bathsheba Incident chickens are still coming home. To roost.

That curse is at the root of what has been happening in these past couple chapters...right?