Joel M Bradshaw

9Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”

10But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ ”

11David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”

13So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.–2 Samuel 16

1. A man was cursing King David and claiming to be the voice of God.
2. David and his men could have just killed the man.
3. David instead considered things theologically.
4. Maybe God was inspiring the man to curse David?
5. Regardless, David set a boundary on himself, much like he earlier did with Saul. He wouldn’t kill the man.
6. This meant that David had to endure the man all the way to his destination. Read verse 13 again. Would you put up with that?
7. Perhaps you need to put a biblical boundary on yourself in order to honor God in your situation. Even if you are dealing with unfairness and annoyance.–JMB