2Sa 16:13-14, 13 And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust. 14 Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there.
David’s patience would be tested even more. David took no notice of the cursing of Shimei which made Shimei even bolder to curse and throw rocks at him. After a while, the king and the people became weary from their journey and grief and trouble with Shimei and therefore stopped and refreshed.
They say we should learn to pick our battles. David knew the battles worth fighting and those to let go. In times of his distress, he stopped to refuel with food and rest. He learned to conserve his energy for that which was important, and Shimei’s insults and attack were not.
We may depend upon God as our pay-master, not only for our services, but for our sufferings. Let them curse, but we bless. David, at length, is housed at Bahurim (2Sa 16:14), where he meets with refreshment, and is hidden from this strife of tongues. Pro 14:29 “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.”