5 When King David came to Bahurim , behold , there came out from there a man of the family of the house of Saul whose name was Shimei , the son of Gera ; he came out cursing continually as he came . 6 He threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David ; and all the people and all the mighty men were at his right hand and at his left . 7 Thus Shimei said when he cursed , "Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed , and worthless fellow ! 8 " The Lord has returned upon you all the bloodshed 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 . And behold , you are taken in your own evil , for you are a man of bloodshed !"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5-8
Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:5-14
(Read 2 Samuel 16:5-14)
David bore Shimei's curses much better than Ziba's flatteries; by these he was brought to pass a wrong judgment on another, by those to pass a right judgment on himself: the world's smiles are more dangerous than its frowns. Once and again David spared Saul's life, while Saul sought his. But innocence is no defence against malice and falsehood; nor are we to think it strange, if we are charged with that which we have been most careful to keep ourselves from. It is well for us, that men are not to be our judges, but He whose judgment is according to truth. See how patient David was under this abuse. Let this remind us of Christ, who prayed for those who reviled and crucified him. A humble spirit will turn reproaches into reproofs, and get good from them, instead of being provoked by them. David the hand of God in it, and comforts himself that God would bring good out of his affliction. We may depend upon God to repay, not only our services, but our sufferings.