How do you deal with fools who slander you and "despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7)? David sets a great example. When Shimei cursed him, he said, “Leave him alone, and let him curse.” Read on to learn why silence is the best response to proverbs fools.

Table of ContentsLeave Fools Alone and Let Them CurseLet a Clear Conscience Keep You SilentRespond to Fools with Godly BehaviorThree Ways David Resembles Jesus in His Response to a FoolDon’t Respond to Fools with WordsHezekiah’s Silence to a FoolJeremiah’s Silence to a FoolFools Fish for ResponsesUnderstanding Proverbs FoolsIdentifying Proverbs FoolsProverbs Fools Hate CorrectionSo, How Do You Deal with Fools?Three Encouragements When Dealing with Proverbs FoolsFirst, God Knows It’s Hard NOT to Respond to Proverbs FoolsSecond, Remaining Silent Is a Sign of MaturityThird, Remaining Silent Looks Like Christ

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How do you deal with fools who "despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7)? Learn why silence is the best response to proverbs fools.

David was experiencing one of the lowest points in his life. He lost the throne. His wicked son, Absalom, is the one who stole it from him. Much of the nation joined Absalom. David was fleeing Jerusalem, and when you think things couldn’t get any worse, Shimei finds him:

2 Samuel 16:8 The Lord has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.” 9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.” 10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” 11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to.

Shimei is related to Saul. Even though Saul lost the throne and died decades earlier, he still blames David for all of Saul’s misfortune. We tend to think that with time people move on. Sometimes they do, but other times the roots of bitterness continue to go grow and become even deeper as each year passes. That was the case with Shimei. He probably despised David more now than he did when Saul died.

Leave Fools Alone and Let Them Curse

David said, “Leave him alone, and let him curse.” The longer I’m a pastor, the greater wisdom I see in these words. Circle them, underline them, highlight them, or do whatever you need to do to remember them so you can come back to them when people slander you.

Gossip is spreading negative information about people to others who have no business knowing that information. But at least the information is true. Slander is spreading lies about people.

Let a Clear Conscience Keep You Silent

Shimei is slandering David. He falsely accused him of violently overthrowing the house of Saul. But it was just the opposite: David played music to alleviate Saul of his torment, repeatedly spared his life, was friends with Saul’s son, Jonathan, and was gracious to Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth. David knew what Shimei was saying was untrue and this allowed him to remain silent.

When David became king again Shimei did a 180, came back to David, and apologized. He said, “Do not let the king take it to heart” (2 Samuel 19:19). David didn’t have to take it to heart because he knew it wasn’t true. When people fools slander us, we don’t have to take it to heart, because it isn’t true.

1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Having a good conscience allows us to remain silent when slandered: If you know the slander against you is untrue then you c...