2 Samuel 16:13

"Handfuls of Purpose"

For All Gleaners

"Shimei... threw stones at him." 2 Samuel 16:13 .

The man at whom the stones were thrown was David. Shimei was a coward as well as a profane person, for he took care to walk along the hill's side over against David, and to throw stones from a distance. We must not be dismayed because men throw stones at us. Many stones are thrown which never reach their mark. Stone throwing may be an indication of cowardice, of an evil temper, of fretfulness, and of a spirit in no wise attractive. How difficult it is for some people to believe that a man can be right when other people are throwing stones at him! They say: How can he be a good man when he is so evil spoken of? How can he be wise when his policy is so much condemned? How can he be good when he has so many enemies? Reasoning of this kind would destroy the claim of Jesus Christ himself to be considered the Son of God. We ought to reason by an exactly contrary process, saying: How great is he when so many envy him! How good when so many oppose him! How wise when so few comprehend him! Burglars do not go to houses in which there are no riches or goods worthy of their attention. They do not go to half-built houses, but to houses wherein they expect to find treasure. Thieves do not go to orchards in the winter-time, but in the time when every branch is bowed down with heavy fruitage. When a man is thought worthy of public criticism, possibly there may be something in him that is of the highest quality. Jesus Christ was more opposed than any man who ever lived, and the reason is that no man could approach him in excellence, in dignity, in beneficence. Be sure that you do not deserve the stones. Remember the proverb which says that ashes always fly in the face of him who throws them.