CHARACTER TRAITS. 2nd Samuel 16 In crisis times, we often find out what people really are like. The pressures of the moment bring out character traits that can be hidden much of the time but become obvious when life and death issues are at stake. The motivation behind actions is exposed when crisis times arise. Some people see those times as opportunities to exploit for their own ends, and others are glad to be able to respond to the needs of others. Sometimes, we are inclined to act in haste because of circumstances that press upon us. When those times come, we are best to wait until later to make decisions until we have the opportunity to consider all the alternatives and/or get all the information we can to help us decide wisely the course of a matter. Those who love the Lord are like Mephibosheth. They do all they can to the best of their ability but also know their limitations.
Zibah was the servant of Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, who was lame on both his feet. He was physically unable to follow David, and Zibah saw this as an opportunity for him to ingratiate himself in David's favor. By bringing needed food supplies for David and those who followed him, Zibah was able to falsely implicate Mephibosheth as wanting to take over the kingship himself.
Zibah wanted to advance himself, and he had been under David's influence long enough to know that the rebellion wasn’t going to be over until David capitulated or Absalom was defeated. Years of experience and being Mephibosheth’s steward assured him of how things would ultimately end. He knew Saul had lost the kingdom, and every other enemy had been subdued, and through it all, David had come out a winner. Zibah decided to support David likely based on the success of David in all the past conflicts instead of on Absalom’s inexperience, bravado, charisma, and promises regarding the future. On the other hand, David did not take the time to check out Zibah's story to see if it was true. Zibah was like people who act as if they are serving the Lord but do not really have love for Him. By His lie, he hoped to get Saul's property, which had been returned to Mephibosheth.
Deceit has many forms, from subtle suggestions to outright lies. A shrewd and decisive person can get ahead faster in a crisis than peacetime. When we are in fellowship with the Lord, we will not scheme and coldly calculate how to advance ourselves. Still, we will submit to the will of God instead of taking advantage of the weaknesses and inabilities of others. The wise person will take the time necessary to be sure of a report before accepting it and acting upon it. Unjust criticism is hard to take and is also hard to defend against. Only God knows what accusations. We must trust Him to make right what is wrong and vindicate us if His sovereign will calls for that to happen.
A bitter man, Shimei, a relative of Saul, openly expressed his animosity against David and cursed him when he passed through Bahurim on his way to the Jordan River. He blamed David for the failures of Saul and didn’t stop his ongoing diatribe until Abishai wanted to kill him. It would have been easy for him to do that, but David saw beyond the moment and into the future. He realized God had allowed what was happening then and had learned the lesson of looking at people and events through God’s eyes.
The character of Shimei is that of those who are enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was disrespectful of David; he cursed David, and he opposed David by throwing stones at him. David did not want vengeance meted out on Shimei. He left that to the One who said, "Vengeance is mine. I will repay."
Sometimes, we are tempted to defend or avenge ourselves against false accusations when it is best for us to ignore the challenge and keep going forward. Opposition to the Gospel from those who do not love our Lord and directed toward those who preach it faithfully is to be expected. It is not right for us to hate, despise, or speak against those who oppose us, but to seek to win them for Christ by being gracious and, if possible, show them kindness. We are here to bring lost souls to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. It won’t be long, and antagonistic people will get tired of making a nuisance of themselves if they get no reaction from the ones they accuse.
David seemed more conscious and concerned about his failure as a father than of the loss of respect and dignity he experienced, even though he was still the king of Israel. He knew Saul and Moses had been disciplined by God, with consequences they could not avoid. He was very conscious of his failure, which may have moved him to write Psalm 3 and Psalm 7.
We may not realize at first that some things that happen to us are disciplinary for failures or training discipline to prepare us for the future. Whatever the reason for enduring hardness, we know this is part of being a “soldier of Jesus Christ.” We can “count it all joy” when we do not act in the energy of the flesh. In times like these, our responsibility is to “walk in the like as He is in the light” and trust God to work things out as it pleases Him.
Absalom was his own favorite admirer. He liked himself a lot and highly valued himself because of his appearance and ability to manipulate people. Inside, Absalom was deceitful, a liar, covetous, and a murderer. When Hushai, a counselor of David’s, was waiting for him in Jerusalem when Absalom came from Hebron and pretended he would be loyal to the new king, that would have appealed to Absalom’s ego. For some reason, Ahithophel was seriously opposed to David, perhaps for leading Bathsheba, his granddaughter, into sin and all that resulted from that event. He apparently wanted David to be put to open shame and punished by death. When Absalom took Ahithophel’s counsel and took his father's concubines openly in front of the people, that was his public claim to David's throne and all that belonged to David.
Ahithophel probably thought of himself as a man of wisdom and may have been proud of that. His advice to go after David immediately was counteracted by Hushai’s counsel to wait until he had a good-sized army. In that way, David and those with him could get farther away and be ready for when the rebel army came after them.
We should never be quick to accept someone's opinion of themselves, nor should we accept someone's condemnation of another. Not all counselors are people of integrity and honor. Some limit themselves to making suggestions, while others offer alternatives. Some are dogmatic, and some fear being open and precise because they fear what might happen to them. People put a lot of stock in his words and advice.
There will be times when we wonder why the Lord allowed this terrible thing to happen to us. Those we had counted on always to be nearby are not around, and those who know what is happening make an awful fuss. One who seemed so calm and well-controlled that butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth turns out to be an opportunist seeking gain at the expense of others as he looks around. Another who, down deep inside, was harboring some grievance or bitterness now let his anger out in a gush of words. He must have been biding his time because it comes out with a shout expressing long-hidden bitter resentments. Words burst forth in temper and rage, opposing all you have done. There is just no way to assuage his anger.
Another one takes his time to consider that God has worked with you in the past and brought you through serious obstacles and trials that seemed at the time insurmountable. God accomplished a work He promised would last through your labor and toil. So, with careful words and consideration, that person stays where he can help you the most. Even though he is questioned about his motives, he has already counted the cost. He believes God will not forsake those who serve Him with love and real commitment.
Some people feel bitterness deep inside when their family is hurt. They may be wise in some ways, but the root of their bitterness hides behind their faces until trouble comes upon the one they think caused their problem. They may take advantage of an opportunity to strike a hard blow, thinking they know how to repay you and bring who they consider high – down low. When trouble comes, be aware that some will attack in some way. A few may truly be trusted, and others will seek to “stab you in the back.” All you can do at such times is be sure you are right with the Lord. Leave the opposition alone and quietly trust God to bear that heavy load.
Look ahead into the future and remember the promises of the past. God can conquer the opposition. You cast your burden on the Lord and leave it there, Knowing He knows the end from the beginning and will take full responsibility for the situation. Someday, the crisis will be over, and the reasons for it will be plain to see