If Absalom is a type of the demagogue, Shimei surely is a type of the
sycophant. While David was in power, Shimei was devoted. When David was
supplanted by the scheming Absalom and went forth heart-broken and weary
from the city where he had reigned, Shimei basely deserts him to become
the tool of Absalom, and heaps insults upon the head of the fallen
monarch. Here is a specimen of his conduct and language: "He cast stones
at David and at the servants of King David. * * * And thus said Shimei
when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man and thou man of
Belial: the Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of
Saul in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath delivered the
kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; and behold thou art taken in thy
mischief because thou art a bloody man." This exhibition of meanness
rouses the just wrath of Abishai, who wishes to put an effectual stop to
the miserable proceeding: "Why should this dead dog curse my lord, the
King? Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head." But David
forbids, and Shimei secure in the continued possession of his head
followed after David and his men and "cursed as he went, and threw stones
at him and cast dust." But the scene changes. Absalom lies dead under a
heap of stones in the forest. David is returning to Jerusalem as king. A
boat has carried him across the Jordan. Who is this that meets him as he
lands and fawns upon him? The wretch who stoned and cursed him the other
day. It is Shimei who forsook him and pelted him when he was unfortunate,
but who returns to offer, "in a bondman's key," his humble services when
David is restored to power. "Let not my Lord impute iniquity unto me,
neither do thou remember that which thy servant did, the day that my lord
the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart." Do
not grieve over it, do not take it too sorely. I admit that it was rather
hasty and ill-advised. "For thy servant doth know that I have sinned." To
be sure I threw some stones, and kicked up a little dust, and swore a few
oaths,--very inconsiderate it seems now; but I am willing to forget the
whole affair. And see what splendid atonement I offer! "_Behold, I am come
first this day of all the house of Joseph, to go down to meet my Lord, the
King._" Think of that! Ah, it is "my lord, the king" to-day; no longer a
"man of Belial." My lord the king can grant favors. Any little trifle of
an office for which he may want an incumbent would be considered.
Remember, "_I am come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to go
down to meet my lord the king_."
Sterne says: "The wheel turns round once more; Absalom is cast down, and
David returns in peace. Shimei suits his behavior to the occasion, and is
the first man also who hastens to greet him; and had the wheel turned
round a hundred times, Shimei, I dare say, in every period of its rotation
would have been uppermost." Then he adds: "O Shimei, would to heaven when
thou wast slain, that all thy family had been slain with thee and not one
of thy resemblance left. But ye have multiplied exceedingly and
replenished the earth; and if I prophesy rightly, ye will in the end
subdue it. Go where you will, in every quarter, in every profession, you
see a Shimei following the wheels of the fortunate through thick mire and
clay."
It is not claimed that the writers of the Bible drew these portraits for
the purpose of making ludicrous those whom they painted, but the features
were in the originals, and they who wrote were simply faithful to nature.
They portrayed what they saw. They did not blind themselves to facts; and
now worthless usurper, weak-willed giant, churlish country squire of
Palestine, grumbling prophet, scheming demagogue and oily sycophant live
forever on their canvas. "Now, by two-headed Janus, Nature _hath_ framed
strange fellows in her time;" and some of those "strange fellows" lived in
Judea thousands of years ago.