We may, however, learn many practical lessons from the conduct of David's followers in the time of his rejection. They followed "after him" (xv. 17); and were "beside him" (18); "with him" (30; and xvi. 14); and "on his right hand and on his left"(xvi. 6).
Shimei "cast stones at David, and at all the servants of King David," because they were his servants; and it is true now, as our Lord said, "If the world hate you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." If we are walking close to Him we are sure to come in for some of the stones, or at least the dust. We may be certain that when the kingdom was restored to David, he took special delight in honouring those who had been hit by the stones which were aimed at himself. He reminds Solomon, his son, that he must honour those who shared his rejection. "Show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai, the Gileadite,and let them be of those that eat of thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom." This is almost word for word the reward promised by the Lord to those who had shared His earthly sorrows. "Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me: that ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom" (Luke xxii. 28-30). To us who share His rejection now, it is promised that, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him."
Shimei "cast stones at David, and at all the servants of King David," because they were his servants; and it is true now, as our Lord said, "If the world hate you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." If we are walking close to Him we are sure to come in for some of the stones, or at least the dust. We may be certain that when the kingdom was restored to David, he took special delight in honouring those who had been hit by the stones which were aimed at himself. He reminds Solomon, his son, that he must honour those who shared his rejection. "Show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai, the Gileadite,and let them be of those that eat of thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom." This is almost word for word the reward promised by the Lord to those who had shared His earthly sorrows. "Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father hath appointed unto Me: that ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom" (Luke xxii. 28-30). To us who share His rejection now, it is promised that, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him."
- from page 120, The Study of the Types