2Sa 16:10-13 | KingComments | STEP | Abishai resists the curses that are spoken to his king and the stones that are thrown at him. Surely it cannot be the case that “this dead dog” can treat his king so insultingly with impunity? Abishai’s indignation is understandable. He will avenge David, for the curse is awful. David reacts here in a spiritual mind. He submits himself completely to the will of the LORD, without avenging himself on what is done to him. He did not respond to Abishai’s encouragement. He takes everything out of the hand of the LORD, as a result of his own failure. But he continues to hope for the goodness of the Lord: “Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day” ( ). After this spiritual acquiescence David, with all those who are with him, arrives weary a place where he finds rest and refreshment (cf. ). As David responds here, he has always responded to all of Saul’s assassination attempts and slanders. In this he is an example for us and a picture of the Lord Jesus. He does not want to be connected with such an expression of retribution, for it is not in his heart. He accepts this evil entirely from God’s hand. The Lord also exhorts Peter to put the sword back into the sheath when he has drawn it to defend his Lord ( ). In the way the Father wants Him to go, there is no place for the exercise of violence, even if it were so just. It’s simply not the time for it. The Lord Jesus, while being reviled, He did not revile in return ( ). Another incident in the life of the Lord bears a clear resemblance to what is happening here. If He seeks refuge in Samaria and people do not want to receive Him there, James and John want fire to descend from heaven upon those people, because they treat their Lord with contempt. However, the Lord rebukes His two disciples, as David does with Abishai. He doesn’t want His disciples to eliminate people who treat Him unfairly and tells them they don’t know what spirit they are of. They do not reveal the spirit of grace and love and humility ( ). Toward the Lord we see people responding with hatred, like Absalom toward David, but also with misplaced zeal, like Abishai toward David.

‏ 2 Samuel 16:10-13

David Bows Down Under the Curse

Abishai resists the curses that are spoken to his king and the stones that are thrown at him. Surely it cannot be the case that “this dead dog” can treat his king so insultingly with impunity? Abishai’s indignation is understandable. He will avenge David, for the curse is awful.

David reacts here in a spiritual mind. He submits himself completely to the will of the LORD, without avenging himself on what is done to him. He did not respond to Abishai’s encouragement. He takes everything out of the hand of the LORD, as a result of his own failure. But he continues to hope for the goodness of the Lord: “Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day” (2Sam 16:12). After this spiritual acquiescence David, with all those who are with him, arrives weary a place where he finds rest and refreshment (cf. Mk 6:30-31).

As David responds here, he has always responded to all of Saul’s assassination attempts and slanders. In this he is an example for us and a picture of the Lord Jesus. He does not want to be connected with such an expression of retribution, for it is not in his heart. He accepts this evil entirely from God’s hand.

The Lord also exhorts Peter to put the sword back into the sheath when he has drawn it to defend his Lord (Jn 18:10-11). In the way the Father wants Him to go, there is no place for the exercise of violence, even if it were so just. It’s simply not the time for it. The Lord Jesus, while being reviled, He did not revile in return (1Pet 2:23).

Another incident in the life of the Lord bears a clear resemblance to what is happening here. If He seeks refuge in Samaria and people do not want to receive Him there, James and John want fire to descend from heaven upon those people, because they treat their Lord with contempt. However, the Lord rebukes His two disciples, as David does with Abishai. He doesn’t want His disciples to eliminate people who treat Him unfairly and tells them they don’t know what spirit they are of. They do not reveal the spirit of grace and love and humility (Lk 9:52-56). Toward the Lord we see people responding with hatred, like Absalom toward David, but also with misplaced zeal, like Abishai toward David.