2 Samuel 16:10
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
When Shimei cursed him, David held back Abishai and his men from killing or retaliating, asking who could then challenge what the Lord had permitted. He understood the cursing as permitted and allowed by the Lord as part of the affliction and punishment brought upon him for his own sin, and he submitted to God's dealings with him. His sin had given the Lord's enemies occasion to blaspheme, and the enraged Benjamite might be carrying out his part in the predicted punishment.
Shimei's accusation was undeserved and cut David deeply, yet David remained keenly aware of his own guilt. He made no excuse for sin and did not plead past obedience or earlier repentance to escape present affliction, but accepted the verdict against the transgressor. He bore reproach and deserved chastening with humility, sorrow, patience, resignation, and kindness, willingly receiving God's correction and reproof rather than responding with anger, revenge, resentment, resistance, or self-defense. His bearing of abuse humbly showed resignation in hardship and reliance on God.
He kept his confidence in God as his only trust and hope, trusting that God would see his distress, lessen his affliction, and repay him with good by turning the curse to blessing. He later spared and forgave the man who had cursed the Lord's anointed, though he could easily have put him to death. His course under God's reproof and displeasure contrasts with acting as though unjustly persecuted and with responding in envy and faultfinding, and it exemplifies the repentance, humiliation, and patience under injury that a sinner should show.