David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
2 Samuel 16:11-12 (NIV)

It struck with complete surprise. It was a broadcast email sent early in the morning to practically every-single-person-I-know. The email had one purpose – to hurt me and ruin my reputation. The core of the message was a lie, but it was salacious enough to plant doubt into everyone’s mind.

My gut instinct was to hit “Reply All” and immediately diffuse, deny, and defend. A part of me naturally wanted switch immediately to the offensive. Attack my accuser. Make my case. Plead for understanding. But I knew the moment I felt emotion driving me to do so that it would only escalate the chaos. It would make an already terrible situation worse and prolong the misery.

Deep in my soul, I realized that the best thing for me to do in that moment was to simply press on. Continue being myself and true to God, myself, and my people. The email was a lie. It came from an individual who was angry and desperate. Truth has a way of revealing itself over time.

I learned a lot about individuals and relationships in the aftermath.
The ones who immediately called.
The ones who never said a word — ever.
The ones who never spoke to me again.

This painful episode from my own life journey came to mind as I read today’s chapter. David once again finds himself on the run. This time, from his own son who “stole the hearts” of the nation and turned them against David. Broken, barefoot, and fleeing, David is confronted by a relative of Saul named Shimei.

Shimei curses David. And it was more than mere insult. He threw stones at David — a cultural symbol of rejection and judgment — an accusation. Shimei kicked up dust at David — a cultural expression of contempt and public disgrace. The Hebrew word used is qalal. It means:

“to make someone small”
“to treat with contempt”
“to dishonor.”

Shimei is attempting to reduce David publicly.

David’s men want to cut off Shimei’s head. David restrains them. He tells them to leave Shimei alone. This is somewhat remarkable given that Shimei accuses David of murdering Saul’s house. The accusation is objectively false. It’s a lie. David could easily defend himself, but he doesn’t. Sometimes innocence doesn’t require immediate defense.

I’ve learned along my own journey that repentance changes my posture toward criticism. David isn’t defending his reputation. He is entrusting it to God.

When a stone got thrown my way, my instinct was to hit “Reply All” and throw two or three back.

David provides me an example of another way.

Not passive weakness. Not believing every accusation. But pausing long enough to ask,

“Lord…is there anything You want me to hear and learn, even in this?”

Most criticism is a mixture of truth and distortion. Wisdom doesn’t ask, “Is my critic entirely right?” Wisdom asks, “Is there anything in this moment — in the criticism — that God can use to make me more like Him?” Sometimes God does His deepest work in me, not through applause, but through painful moments and voices I’d rather silence.

And perhaps that’s why this weary king, walking barefoot through dust and tears, looks more like God’s anointed than he did sitting comfortably on the throne.

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