Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today." Perhaps the LORDThe Hebrew word for "perhaps" is "ulay," which conveys a sense of hope or possibility. David, in his humility, acknowledges that he does not presume upon God's will but rather submits to it. The use of "the LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. David's reliance on the LORD reflects his deep faith and trust in God's sovereignty and justice, even amidst adversity. will see my affliction
The Hebrew word for "see" is "ra'ah," which means to perceive or consider. David is expressing his hope that God will take notice of his suffering. "Affliction" (Hebrew: "oni") refers to misery or distress. This phrase highlights David's belief that God is aware of human suffering and is compassionate towards those who are oppressed. It is a reminder of God's omniscience and His ability to empathize with our struggles. and repay me with good
The concept of "repay" (Hebrew: "shuv") involves restoration or turning back. David is hopeful that God will restore him and bring about good from his current situation. The word "good" (Hebrew: "tov") signifies well-being, prosperity, or favor. This reflects the biblical principle that God can bring good out of evil circumstances, as seen in Romans 8:28. David's faith in God's justice and benevolence is evident here. for the cursing I receive today
"Cursing" (Hebrew: "qelalah") refers to verbal abuse or imprecation. David is being cursed by Shimei, yet he chooses to respond with patience and faith rather than retaliation. The phrase "I receive today" indicates the immediacy of the situation and David's acceptance of his current trials. This highlights the biblical teaching of enduring persecution with grace, trusting that God will ultimately vindicate His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who is fleeing from his son Absalom. In this verse, David is responding to the cursing of Shimei. 2. ShimeiA member of the house of Saul who curses David as he flees from Absalom, throwing stones and dust at him. 3. AbsalomDavid's son, who has rebelled against his father and taken over Jerusalem, forcing David to flee. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, whom David trusts to see his affliction and potentially bring about justice. 5. BahurimThe location where Shimei curses David, a village in the territory of Benjamin. Teaching Points Trust in Divine JusticeDavid's response to Shimei's cursing demonstrates a profound trust in God's justice. Believers are encouraged to rely on God to right wrongs rather than seeking personal vengeance. Responding to PersecutionDavid's restraint in the face of Shimei's insults is a model for Christians to respond to persecution with grace and patience, trusting God to handle the situation. God's Sovereignty in SufferingDavid's hope that God will see his affliction and repay him with good highlights the belief in God's sovereignty and ability to bring good out of suffering. Humility in LeadershipDavid's humility in accepting Shimei's cursing without retaliation is a lesson in leadership, showing that true strength lies in humility and reliance on God. Hope in RedemptionThe verse encourages believers to maintain hope that God can transform curses into blessings, reflecting a redemptive perspective on life's challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to Shimei's cursing reflect his faith in God's justice, and how can we apply this in our own lives when facing unjust treatment? 2. In what ways does David's reaction to Shimei align with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament about loving our enemies? 3. How can we find comfort in the belief that God sees our afflictions and can bring good out of them, as David hoped in this verse? 4. What does David's humility in this situation teach us about leadership and handling criticism or opposition? 5. How can the account of Joseph in Genesis 50:20 help us understand and apply the principle of God turning curses into blessings in our own experiences? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 7David's plea for deliverance from his enemies, reflecting his trust in God's justice. Matthew 5:44Jesus' teaching on loving enemies and praying for those who persecute you, which parallels David's response to Shimei. Romans 12:19Paul's instruction to leave vengeance to God, echoing David's hope that God will see his affliction and repay him. 1 Peter 2:23Christ's example of not retaliating when insulted, similar to David's restraint. Genesis 50:20Joseph's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty in turning evil intentions into good, akin to David's hope for divine recompense. People Abishai, Absalom, Ahithophel, Arkite, David, Gera, Hushai, Mephibosheth, Saul, Shimei, Zeruiah, ZibaPlaces Bahurim, JerusalemTopics Affliction, Cursed, Cursing, Eye, Instead, Note, Perhaps, Receiving, Repay, Requite, Return, Reviling, Wrong, WrongsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 16:5-12 5088 David, character 2 Samuel 16:5-13 5964 temper 2 Samuel 16:11-12 5564 suffering, of Christ Library But Although Patience be a virtue of the Mind...
8. But although patience be a virtue of the mind, yet partly the mind exercises it in the mind itself, partly in the body. In itself it exercises patience, when, the body remaining unhurt and untouched, the mind is goaded by any adversities or filthinesses of things or words, to do or to say something that is not expedient or not becoming, and patiently bears all evils that it may not itself commit any evil in work or word. By this patience we bear, even while we be sound in body, that in the midst …
St. Augustine—On Patience Nob. Bahurim.
That Nob was placed in the land of Benjamin, not far from Jerusalem, whence Jerusalem also might be seen,--the words of the Chaldee paraphrast, upon Isaiah 10:32, do argue. For so he speaks; "Sennacherib came and stood in Nob, a city of the priests, before the walls of Jerusalem; and said to his army, 'Is not this the city of Jerusalem, against which I have raised my whole army, and have subdued all the provinces of it? Is it not small and weak in comparison of all the fortifications of the Gentiles, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica David and Jonathan's Son
'And David said, is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2. And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. 3. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4. And the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
I proceed now to the second aphorism or conclusion, that the godly are in some sense already blessed. The saints are blessed not only when they are apprehended by God, but while they are travellers to glory. They are blessed before they are crowned. This seems a paradox to flesh and blood. What, reproached and maligned, yet blessed! A man that looks upon the children of God with a carnal eye and sees how they are afflicted, and like the ship in the gospel which was covered with waves' (Matthew 8:24), …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
Massecheth Berachoth, or Tractate on Benedictions [76] Mishnah--From what time is the "Shema" said in the evening? From the hour that the priests entered to eat of their therumah [77] until the end of the first night watch. [78] These are the words of Rabbi Eliezer. But the sages say: Till midnight. Rabban Gamaliel says: Until the column of the morning (the dawn) rises. It happened, that his sons came back from a banquet. They said to him: "We have not said the Shema.'" He said to them, "If the column …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized …
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem? Voluntary Suffering
I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. T hat which often passes amongst men for resolution, and the proof of a noble, courageous spirit, is, in reality, the effect of a weak and little mind. At least, it is chiefly owing to the presence of certain circumstances, which have a greater influence upon the conduct, than any inherent principle. Thus may persons who appear to set death and danger at defiance in the hour …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
If thy sickness be like to increase unto death, then meditate on three things:--First, How graciously God dealeth with thee. Secondly, From what evils death will free thee. Thirdly, What good death will bring unto thee. The first sort of Meditations are, to consider God's favourable dealing with thee. 1. Meditate that God uses this chastisement of thy body but as a medicine to cure thy soul, by drawing thee, who art sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ, thy physician, to have thy soul healed …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Samuel 16:12 NIV2 Samuel 16:12 NLT2 Samuel 16:12 ESV2 Samuel 16:12 NASB2 Samuel 16:12 KJV
2 Samuel 16:12 Commentaries
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