Why didn’t David retaliate against Shimei?

David trusted that the Lord was sovereign over even the insults of his enemies. Rather than seeking revenge, he submitted to God’s will and hoped for divine justice (2 Samuel 16:10–12).

How should Christians respond when slandered?

Christians are called to follow Christ’s example—who was falsely accused and reviled but did not retaliate. Instead, He entrusted Himself to the Father. We respond with humility, prayer, and trust in God’s justice (1 Peter 2:21–23).

Enduring Slander with Humility – 2 Samuel 16:1–23 (July 16, 2025)

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 2 min read

Enduring Slander with Humility – 2 Samuel 16:1–23

Reading the Bible Daily with Dave
📅 July 16, 2025

🎧 Audio Player

📺 Video Player

📖 Passage

2 Samuel 16:1–23 (ESV) – David is betrayed by Ziba, cursed by Shimei, and undermined by Ahithophel’s counsel. Yet, he entrusts himself to the Lord, refusing retaliation and walking in humility that foreshadows Christ.

🔑 Key Themes

False testimony and manipulation (Ziba)
Enduring insult without retaliation (Shimei)
Prophetic fulfillment of judgment (Ahithophel & Absalom)
David’s humility pointing forward to Christ

❤️ Christ-Centered Application

Jesus, like David, was falsely accused and publicly humiliated—but never opened His mouth in defense. When slandered, we can entrust our reputations to the Lord who sees all and judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). Christ bore the ultimate injustice so we could be reconciled.

📚 Memory Verse

2 Samuel 16:12 – “It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.”

📝 Summary

This episode of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave calls believers to humility when slandered. David models restraint under pressure, reminding us that our hope is not in public vindication, but in God’s sovereign justice—fully revealed in Christ.

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Dave Jenkins( Executive Director )

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.