Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

shown that he was disloyal. He had honored David on his throne,
but now he cursed him in his humiliation. Inspired by Satan, he gave
vent to his wrath on the man whom God had punished.
David had not been guilty of wrong toward Saul or on any of
his family. He had spent much of his life amid scenes of violence;
but of all who have gone through such an ordeal, few indeed have
been so little affected by its hardening, demoralizing influence as
was David.
David's nephew, Abishai, could not listen patiently to Shimei's
insulting words. He exclaimed, "Why should this dead dog curse my
lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head." But the
king did not agree. "My son ... seeks my life. How much more now
may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord
has ordered him. 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."
David Knows This Trouble Is the Consequence of His Sin
While King David's faithful subjects were amazed at his
sudden reverse of fortune, it was no mystery to him. He had often
had forebodings of an hour like this. He had marveled that God had
tolerated his sins for so long. And now in his hurried and sorrowful
escape, he thought of his loved capital, the place that had been the
scene of his sin. As he remembered the patience of God, he felt that
the Lord would still deal with him in mercy.
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