Princes Sit & Speak

“Princes” refer to those within his own government.  Remember that David was king and was the highest authority in the land.  There was no one to whom he was answerable in that regard.  The princes may refer to minor officials within his government and nay even have included some within his own family!  They are surely referring to a public official speaking in a public venue.  “Sit” and “speak” underscore both the public nature of this attack and the official nature of the opposition.  “Sitting” speaks of the assuming of the “Princes” official office before the people.  “Speaking” then would refer to the communication they offer as a function of that “sitting”.  This was official opposition.  This may refer to the time when David’s hold on the kingdom was semi-precarious.  Or it may simply reflect what we know was David’s attitude toward those who spoke or acted against him.  As in the case of Shimei, he prefers to allow God to deal with the offender rather than to take matters into his own hands, though he surely had the authority and the cause to do so.

There is a tremendous lesson to be learned here.  We are all too quick to take matters into our own hands and seek, by human wisdom to settle and solve problems.  We are a terribly inpatient people who are anxious to be free of pressure and tension.  Those things are viewed as evil and unacceptable things, and yet the undergoing of such things in a Godly fashion may be exactly what God requires of us.

“Speak” is a general word for speaking or talking that is sometimes used of official speech, pronouncements, and such.

Just as an aside, we need to note that these leaders, in the function of their office, spoke against the anointed of God!  There is every reason for us to believe that God took this very seriously and responded to their attacks by defending David and punishing them for their presumption.  This, of course, assumes that David was not worth of Rebuke on their part.  The implication of the passage is certainly that he was innocent and it is not like David to squeal for God’s help when he was to blame.

No, it is certain that these men were attacking David unjustly and even if it was “in good conscience” they were still to blame and accountable to God for their sin.

We note also that David took his complaint to the correct place – to God!  He didn’t gossip, he didn’t stew, he didn’t rail, and he didn’t take matters into his own hands!  What a marvelous example for us to follow!