12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today."
12 It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction,
12 It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me,
12 And who knows, maybe God will see the trouble I'm in today and exchange the curses for something good."
12 It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day."
12 And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 16:12
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.