This second descendant of Saul demonstrated a reaction to David that was the opposite of Ziba"s. Ziba had been ingratiating and submissive, but Shimei, a "reptile of the royal house of Saul," [1] was insulting and defiant (cf. Genesis 12:3). The central focus of the chiasm in this section is Abishai"s desire for Shimei"s execution ( 2 Samuel 16:9; cf. 1 Samuel 17:46; 2 Samuel 4:7). [source][source][source]
Bahurim evidently stood on the east side of Mt. Olivet but not far away from the Kidron Valley (cf. 2 Samuel 3:16; 2 Samuel 17:18). Shimei"s charge that David was a man of bloodshed ( 2 Samuel 16:8) was true; David had murdered Uriah. However, Shimei meant David was responsible for the murders of Abner and Ish-bosheth, which was not true. David appears to have felt his present distress might be God"s punishment for killing Uriah ( 2 Samuel 16:10-11). He hoped that by showing Shimei mercy God might be merciful to him ( 2 Samuel 16:12; cf. 2 Samuel 22:26). David"s attitude was entirely different from Abishai"s ( 2 Samuel 16:9; cf. 1 Samuel 26:8), and Abishai"s brother Joab"s, who often seized the initiative from God. "Sons of Zeruiah" was probably a disparaging form of address (cf. 1 Samuel 10:11; 1 Samuel 20:27). [source][source][source]
"This is an interesting theological view, that coming from the hate-filled rantings of an apparent madman might be the voice of God to David. The willingness to listen to one"s critics and even to one"s enemies may be the only way to discover the truth of God. The natural tendency is to surround ourselves with friends who are often reluctant to tell us the things we need to know. This opens the possibility that we may do well at times to listen to people who wish us harm but tell us the truth. Here again we see David"s willingness to expose himself to God"s word for his life and to God"s judgment upon his life." [2][source]
Here, in contrast to the previous pericope, David succeeded. He did not let the criticism of a critic elicit an improper response from him. Rather, he listened for the voice of God in Shimei"s words ( 2 Samuel 16:10-11). Sometimes the complementary words of a friend ( 2 Samuel 16:1-4) are more difficult to handle than the curses of an enemy. David showed some growth here; previously he had reacted violently to the disdain of an enemy, namely, Nabal (cf. 1 Samuel 25:26; 1 Samuel 25:32-34). For David to control his temper was a greater victory than slaying Goliath ( Proverbs 16:32). Times of stress bring out the best and the worst in people. This was true of David"s flight from Absalom as it had been true during his flight from Saul. [source][source][source]