2 Samuel 16:11
And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
David spoke these words while fleeing his throne during his son's rebellion, when his own son was seeking his life. At that time Shimei, an enraged Benjamite, cursed and abused David along with his followers, throwing stones and dirt at him. The cursing came amid suffering caused by those who should have been loyal, and David was keenly conscious of his own sin even while enduring reproach that was in part undeserved.
He reasoned that if his own son who came forth from him sought his life, how much more might this Benjamite curse, so the cursing could be endured. On that ground he commanded his servants and men to let Shimei alone, restraining them from retaliation and leaving the matter to the Lord. His restraint showed humility and trust in God rather than revenge.
He accepted the cursing as what the Lord had bidden and permitted, receiving it as part of the punishment, displeasure, and predicted consequences that God had brought upon him for his own sin and actions. He knew his sins deserved judgment and his own actions had brought the adversity, yet he did not become hardened. He recognized that Shimei might be carrying out part of the punishment predicted for him.
He submitted humbly with patience, restraint, and distrust of self, seeking the Lord's help rather than defending himself. He did not rebel against God's will, make excuses, complain, seek revenge, or treat himself as an unjustly persecuted victim. He bore the affliction without hardness even under suffering from those who should have been loyal and while keenly conscious of his own sin. His resignation under injury rather than retaliation was the fruit of true repentance.
He relied on God as his only trust and refuge, trusting God to judge and guide him through both deserved and undeserved suffering. He sought the Lord's help, confessed sin, repented before God, and trusted God to see his affliction and act for him. He retained hope that by bearing the affliction humbly God might lessen it and in mercy repay him with good by turning Shimei's curse and conduct into a blessing. He faced his son's pursuit without claiming that his past service and earlier repentance should exempt him from judgment, submitting to the consequences in confession and repentance as the example of true repentance.