Shimei, the first SWAT-ter ∙∙
Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel! The LORD is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the LORD has given it to your son Absalom. At last, you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer! – 2 Samuel 16:7-8
2 Samuel 16:5-13
5 As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village, cursing them. It was Shimei, son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family.
6 He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him.
9 “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?” Abishai, son of Zeruiah, demanded. “Let me go over and cut off his head!”
10 “No!” the king said. “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the LORD has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?”
11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to do it.
12 And perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.”
13 So David and his men continued down the road, and Shimei kept pace with them on a nearby hillside, cursing as he threw stones at David and tossed dust into the air.
What is a SWAT Team?
A SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) team is a specialized police tactical unit equipped with military-grade gear and trained for high-risk operations. These units are deployed in situations that exceed the capabilities of traditional law enforcement. SWAT teams are designed to manage extreme situations with precision and advanced tactics, ensuring public safety and effectively neutralizing threats.
The Rise of Swatting: A Dangerous Prank
Swatting is a malicious act that involves making fraudulent calls to law enforcement, falsely reporting serious crimes such as hostage situations or violent threats, in order to trigger a SWAT team response at the home of an unsuspecting victim. This dangerous prank has become a growing concern in recent years.
A High-Profile Case: Adam Mosseri
In November 2019, Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram, became a victim of a swatting incident. San Francisco police received multiple calls claiming that hostages were being held at Mosseri’s home, prompting a SWAT team to descend on his residence. After a tense standoff, the police realized that the calls were a hoax. A similar incident occurred at Mosseri’s New York home, highlighting the vulnerability of public figures to such attacks.
According to a New York Times article from January 23, 2020, swatting is often a retaliatory act orchestrated by anonymous trolls on dark-web forums. These individuals, typically disgruntled social media users, target executives or public figures whose accounts have been suspended for violations such as hate speech. Swatting has evolved into a weaponized form of revenge in the digital age.
The Tragic Consequences of Swatting
Swatting is far from a harmless prank. In a tragic incident in December 2017, Andrew Finch, a 28-year-old online gamer from Wichita, Kansas, was killed during a swatting incident. After raising his hands as instructed by the police, Finch was shot by a Wichita officer who mistakenly believed he was reaching for a weapon. The perpetrator was thought to be a fellow gamer, illustrating how swatting has become a form of revenge within online gaming communities over the past decade.
This incident highlights the lethal risks of swatting, as it can escalate quickly, endangering innocent lives and placing immense pressure on law enforcement to make split-second decisions.
Swatting: A Modern Form of Revenge
Swatting reflects a broader societal issue where individuals seek revenge for perceived slights by misusing emergency services. This phenomenon extends beyond public figures; anyone can become a target, making it a widespread and alarming trend in the United States.
A Biblical Parallel: Shimei’s Revenge Against David
The concept of seeking revenge is not new. In the Scriptures, Shimei, a relative of King Saul, serves as an ancient equivalent of a “swatter.” In 2 Samuel 16:6-8, Shimei cursed King David, threw stones, and hurled dirt at him and his entourage, blaming David for Saul’s death and accusing him of stealing the kingdom. Shimei called David a “man of blood,” a murderer, and a scoundrel, warning that his sins would be punished.
Despite Shimei’s hostility, David had little to fear, as his armed escort of Mighty Men protected him. Rather than retaliating, David chose restraint, showing a profound understanding of divine justice.
REFLECT & PRAY
As children of the King, we are called to entrust our grievances to the Father rather than seeking our own revenge. The Bible reminds us that vengeance belongs to God alone (Deuteronomy 32:35).
Father, thank You for being my protector and judge. Help me entrust all circumstances, good or bad, into Your hands, knowing You will bring justice in Your perfect timing.
INSIGHT
Responding to Injustice with Faith
When faced with hostility, such as swatting or personal attacks, how should we respond? David’s men had a simple, straightforward plan. Kill Shimei, end of story.
David’s Restraint
In 2 Samuel 16:9, Abishai, one of David’s loyal men, proposed a quick solution: “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!” However, David rejected this suggestion, understanding that revenge was not his to take. He reasoned that if his own son, Absalom, sought to kill him, Shimei’s curses were a lesser offense (2 Samuel 16:11-12). David reflected on his past and considered that Shimei’s accusations might hold some truth. MacDonald posits that, “Perhaps David remembered the death of Uriah and realized that Shimei’s accusations were not entirely without foundation.”
David’s response to Shimei’s curses offers a powerful lesson in humility and faith. David’s faith led him to trust that God would address the wrongs in His time: “Perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today” (2 Samuel 16:12). His attitude was one of resilience, turning “lemons into lemonade” rather than retaliating.
Divine Justice
David’s restraint was rooted in his trust in God’s justice. A lesser man would have given the order to silence Shimei’s tongue, but David left such judgments in the Father’s hands. Perhaps he remembered the Father’s words: “Vengeance is Mine, and retribution” (Deuteronomy 32:35).
Wiersbe suggests that David had faith that the Father would balance the books one day and deal with individuals like Absalom and Shimei. Despite feeling exhausted and discouraged, David demonstrated great spiritual resolve by entrusting judgment to God.
However, David experienced a serious lapse as he approached the end of his life. In a move reminiscent of “The Godfather,” in his dying words, David ordered a hit on Shimei. He told Solomon, “You are a wise man, and you will know how to arrange a bloody death for him” (1 Kings 2:9).
God’s Faithfulness
David’s life was marked by numerous challenges, including his son Absalom’s rebellion and the loss of his throne. Despite these trials, God remained faithful, fulfilling His promises by establishing Solomon as the next king (Psalms 132:1). The Father sees every affliction and remembers each child of the King. Nothing escapes His notice, and ultimately, He will have His way in the end.
Never Pay Back Evil With More Evil
Swatting is a modern manifestation of an age-old desire for revenge, with devastating consequences for individuals and communities. By examining both contemporary examples, such as Andrew Finch’s tragedy, and biblical stories like those of David and Shimei, we see the importance of leaving justice to God.
As children of the King, we are called to respond to injustice with faith, humility, and trust in the Father’s ultimate plan, knowing that He sees all and will bring about justice in His perfect timing. Paraphrasing Romans 12:18-21: “Do your best to live in peace with everyone. Never seek revenge; let God handle it. Overcome evil by doing good.”
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© Dr. H 2025
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