What Are You Throwing At People

2 Samuel 16:6

And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.

We see two types of people in the darkest days of David’s life. David’s son Absalom led a rebellion against his dad and gathered people to go to war against his own dad to have him killed. We could certainly talk about the evil of Absalom, but stop and think of what David was going through. Sin bringing him to this point is another issue, but there is no excuse for what Absalom did. As David and his followers were running for safety, we find two types of people were throwing things at David.

Shimei cast stones and accusations at David as he and his men left the city. I would hate to be the type of guy who cast stones at people when they are down instead of trying to help them get back up. Shimei was an opportunist who only followed David’s lead because it was the popular thing to do when David was at the top of life. He was never behind David because he blamed him for Saul’s family being destroyed and removed from the throne of Israel.

There was another group of men who nourished and encouraged David as he left the city. 2 Samuel 17:27 shows us these men: “And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,” These men provided food, bedding, and encouragement for David and his men as they left the city. Oh, nobody talks of these men that much, but these men were heroes.

Many people find themselves in David’s shoes. These people, like David, were at one point at the top of everyone’s list of examples. However, something happened that caused the narrative of their life to change. These once-respected people have now become the villains. Let me remind you that these people are still God’s children. I am not addressing whether they are right or wrong or whether they caused their situation or not; I am here to say that these people still need someone to believe in them and encourage them. You will either be a Shimei, or you will be a Shobi, Machir, or Barzillai.

My friend, I would much rather be a friend to the down and out than to be the Shimei who casts stones in an all-out attempt to destroy them. What a Satanic mentality to want to destroy people, whether they are guilty or not guilty. Jesus revealed the character of Satan in Luke 23:31 as he told Peter: Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: I would hate to be on Satan’s side that throws stones at those who are down with a desire to totally destroy them. I will say to the Shimei’s that your day is coming; Shimei figured that out.

However, I would rather be a Shobi, Machir, and Barzillai who refreshes those burdened with trials or at the bottom of life. Oh, you won't be the most popular guy with the Shimei’s who have cast the stones, but you can go to sleep at night knowing you tried to be a friend to the down and out. I would much rather be like Christ who called Judas Iscariot a friend even though Judas betrayed Him. You will never regret being a friend to people. One day it might be you, and you will want a friend in that day. So, be a friend to the unpopular and those who are down; it just might be that God will use you to be the encouragement for them to get up and do something great for Him.