David and the Cursing of Shimei

As David flees Jerusalem, he encounters various individuals. Some speak of faithfulness, others violence, and Shimei comes with words of condemnation. As David passes, Shimei shots down curses.

We don’t like to surround ourselves with people like Shimei. In looking for advisors, we prefer affirmation and positivity. But David is willing to hear Shimei’s words. As one commentator put it, Shemi’s curses “stripped off the royal veneer” of David’s public image. Shemei’s curses forced David’s integrity, the truth of who he was, to become his public reality.