David’s Right Kind of Anger

Anger is rightly used, too, when we are stirred up against this very anger because it has crept in on us against our brother, and when in wrath we drive out its deadly promptings and do not let it have a dangerous hiding place deep in our heart. That prophet teaches us to be angry in this way who had so completely driven anger out of his own feelings that he would not take revenge even on his enemies when God had delivered them into his hands. For he says, “Be angry, and do not sin.” [a]

When he had longed for water from the well of Bethlehem, and his mighty men had brought it to him through the middle of the enemy’s army, he at once poured it out on the ground. So in his anger he put out the pleasant feeling of his desire and poured it out to the Lord, without satisfying the longing he had expressed, and said, “Far be it from me to do this! Shall I drink the blood of these men who went out at the risk of their lives?”

And when Shimei threw stones at King David and cursed him in his hearing, before everybody, and Abishai the son of Zeruiah, the commander of the army, wanted to cut off his head and avenge the insult to the king, blessed David was moved with a godly anger against this dreadful suggestion. Keeping the due measure of humility and a strict patience, he said with unshakable gentleness: “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? Let him alone, so that he may curse. For the Lord has commanded him to curse David. And who is he who will dare to say, Why have you done this? Look, my son, who came from my own body, seeks my life; how much more this son of Benjamin? Let him alone, so that he may curse, according to the command of the Lord. It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction, and repay me with good for this cursing today.”