Davids Desprate Days

2 Samuel 16:1-14
Darrin Mariott, Lead Pastor

Big Idea: Desperate times call for deep faith and a reliance on God’s goodness
and faithfulness.
2 Samuel 16:1-14
1 When David had passed a little beyond the summit, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, bearing two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred bunches of raisins, a hundred of summer fruits, and a skin of wine.2 And the king said to Ziba, “Why have you brought these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who faint in the wilderness to drink.”3 And the king said, “And where is your master’s son?” Ziba said to the king, “Behold, he remains in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will give me back the kingdom of my father.’”4 Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.” And Ziba said, “I pay homage; let me ever find favor in your sight, my lord the king.”5 When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually.6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.7 And Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man!8 The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.”9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.”10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’”11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.12 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.”13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust.14 And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself.

I. Dealing with Duplicity (vv. 1-4)

A. The charm and empty promises of Absalom have won the hearts of many in Israel, enough to force David to flee Jerusalem and avoid risking much bloodshed in the city. David is not only heartbroken over the rebellion of his son, but he must also quickly discern who is for him and who is against him. These are desperate times for the king (cf. Ps. 61:1-8).
Psalm 61:1-8
1 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I3 for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.4 Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!7 May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!8 So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.

B. Mephibosheth’s servant, Ziba, meets David on the road to offer him much needed supplies. Though suspicious (vv. 2-3), David accepts the supplies and the lie Ziba tells him. We see:

1. David’s wounded heart (v. 4; cf. Prov. 18:13, 17) – David is not in the best place to be making character judgments.
Proverbs 18:13,17
13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

2. David has support (cf. Ps, 27:1-5) – Though many are against him, David is not alone, and it is important he leans on this truth.
Psalm 27;1-5
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

C. We do well to remember that we have an enemy that lies to us and seeks our destruction (cf. Jn. 8:44; 10:10), but if we stand firm in Jesus, He gives us the victory (cf. 1 Pet. 5:8-11).
John 8:44;10:10
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

II. Dealing with Derision (vv. 5-14)

A. David not only has to deal with the pain of rebellion and rejection, but he also must put up with the derision of those loyal to Saul’s house, particularly Shimei. Though not responsible for Saul’s death, David accepts Shimei’s insults as a rebuke from God (v. 11)

B. In David’s response to Shimei, we see:

1. David’s recognition of his own sin (cf. 2 Sam. 12:9-11) – David sees the consequences of his actions in play.
2 Samuel 12:9-11
9 Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’11 Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun.

2. David’s humility – David sees the curses of Shimei as God’s means of keeping him humble.

3. David’s faith in the Lord – David knows that God is just, and he is willing to accept His sovereign will.

C. David shows tremendous restraint and humility before the unwarranted insults of Shimei. Though not a perfect example, David shows us a Christ-like heart that trusts in God’s power and His faithfulness to His promises (cf. 1 Pet. 2:20-24).
1 peter 2:20-24
20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.