2 Samuel 16:11-14 – “And David said to Abishai and all his servants, “See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the Lord has ordered him. It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust. Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.”
Shimei, who was a relative of King Saul, hurled tremendous insults at King David as he is fleeing Jerusalem because of his son’s (Absalom) coup to take over the throne. David shows tremendous restraint in not allowing Abishai to kill Shimei.
When we are reviled or insulted our initial reaction is to defend ourselves and come back at the person offending us. This only causes an escalation in the tension. David gives us a great example to follow when we are being castigated. First, “let him alone.” Don’t say anything; don’t respond. Keep your head about you and don’t lose your cool. Second, realize that God may bless you for ensuring slander and false accusation. David turned his attention to God and believed that if he would not take matters into his own hands, God would reward him.
Dear friend, those same principles apply to us today. We must learn not to be quick to get into a verbal battle with those on the side of the road who have nothing better to do than to hurl worded daggers at us. We must keep moving forward, ignore the ignorance of others, and believe that God will bless us for maintaining our cool.