As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family. He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. “Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!”
“Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?” Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. “Let me go over and cut off his head!”
“No!” the king said. “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?”
2 Samuel 16:5-10 (New Living Translation)
Dearest Abba Father, Merciful Father, I fall down to my knees and am crying to You out of my utter despair and grief. I need You near me and to hear me. I am down in the dumps. I have been shamed by people. Lord, I believe that nothing can reach me unless You allow it. Don’t forsake me to the hands of people. I pour out before You my petitions and my supplications, seeking Your forgiveness, beseeching You to hear my voice and forget me not. Rise and take up my cause. Yahweh, Your name’s sake, show me a sign that I am still special to you so that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed. Bring me to my remembrance all that You have done for me. Help me to remember the old days when You came forth mightily to redeem and help me. I am confident that You can’t always be indifferent to my needs. You will not leave me comfortless. When everybody has forsaken me, You will take me up and You will act on my behalf to wipe away all my reproaches. You will come near me with Your peace to protect my heart and mind. Your peace will hem me in to protect me from all the pressures of everyday life and its disturbances. Abba, answer me, for I have no other father that can help me. For Your name’s sake, cause me not to perish. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen
