2 Samuel 16:9
Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
Abishai answers Shimei's cursing of the king by calling him a dead dog and asking leave to go over and take off his head, honoring David as the Lord's anointed. David will not allow retaliation but bids his followers let Shimei go on cursing and himself endures the insult. He receives the abuse humbly as chastisement God has laid on him for his own sin, trusting the Lord will look on his affliction and turn the curse to blessing by repaying him with good. That same forbearance governs his later dealing with the offense, when he spares Shimei's life and forgives him instead of taking revenge.