2nd Samuel 16 CHARACTER TRAITS In crisis times we often find out what people are really 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 are 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. Zibah was the servant of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan 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 into 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. Deceit has many forms, from subtle suggestions to outright lies.
David, on the other hand, did not take the time to check out Zibah's story to see if it was true or not. There are times when 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 opportunity to consider all the alternatives and/or get all the information we can to help us decide wisely the course of a matter. Zibah was like people who act as if they are serving the Lord but don not really have love for Him. By His lie he hoped to get the property of Saul that had been returned to Mephibosheth. Those who love the Lord, are like Mephibosheth. They do all they to the best of their ability but also know their limitations.
The character of Shimei is that of those who are enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was disrespectful of David, he cursed David, he opposed David by throwing stones at him. Opposition to the Gospel from those who do not love out Lord, and directed toward those who preach it faithfully, is to be expected. David did not want vengeance meted out on Shimei. He left that to the One who said, "Vengeance is mine. I will repay." 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.
Absalom was his own favorite admirer. He liked himself a lot and had a high estimation of himself because of what he looked liked and how he could manipulate people. Inside he was deceitful, a liar, covetous, a murderer. We should never be quick to accept someone's opinion of themselves, nor should we be quick to accept someone's condemnation of another. 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 that which is wrong, and vindicate us if that is called for by His sovereign will. When Absalom took his father's concubines openly in front of the people, that was his public claim to his David's throne and all that belonged to David.
Not all counselors are people of integrity and honor. Some people will limit themselves to making suggestions. Others will give alternatives. Some are dogmatic and some are afraid to be open and precise for fear of what might happen to them. For some reason Ahithophel was seriously opposed to David, perhaps for leading Bathsheba his granddaughter into sin and all that was a result of that event. He apparently wanted David to be put to open shame and punished by death. People put a lot of stock in his words and advice. He probably thought of himself as a man of wisdom and may have been proud of that.