2 Samuel 16:12
ESV
It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today."
NIV
It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today."
NASB
Perhaps the Lord will look on my misery and return good to me instead of his cursing this day.'
CSB
Perhaps the Lord will see my affliction and restore goodness to me instead of Shimei’s curses today."
NLT
And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.'
KJV
It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.
NKJV
It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”
What does 2 Samuel 16:12 mean?
While David was still in Jerusalem, organizing his servants to flee Absalom and his coming army, the priests Abiathar and Zadok arrived with the ark of the covenant. David told them to turn back. David knows that Absalom's rebellion is God's judgment for betraying and murdering his friend Uriah (2 Samuel 12:10–12). David will not travel with the symbol of God's presence nor presume that God is and will remain on his side. He told the priests, "'If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. But if he says, "I have no pleasure in you," behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him'" (2 Samuel 15:25–26).David carries this attitude in the face of Shimei, an angry Benjamite who curses him, accusing him of stealing Saul's throne. David's nephew Abishai wants to take off Shimei's head. David suspects this is part of God's punishment (2 Samuel 16:8–11). If he can bear up to the abuses, maybe God will restore his favor.
David's words and hopes must be understood in context. He is not saying that if he's obedient to God and maintains his faith in God, God will let him return to Jerusalem as king. He's not saying that if he endures a particular measure of God's judgment, God will forgive him and restore their relationship. David calls out for God's deliverance. He places all his faith in God, not his own ability to earn God's favor. He believes God will answer and protect him, even if he doesn't know what that looks like. And he leaves vengeance to God (Psalm 3:1–7). "Salvation belongs to the Lord," he says. "Your blessing be on your people!" (Psalm 3:8).
When we face God's discipline, it's important to have the right perspective. We don't deserve God's grace, and yet He's eager to give it. Our hardships are not God's fault; they're God's call to trust Him. We obey and submit because of Who He is, not because it will gain us relief and deliverance. And yet, God is our Father. He loves us. He wants to restore us. Submitting to His discipline puts us in the position to better hear His voice.
