David-A Time to Forgive Shimei

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 19

From David's Journals

courtesy of christianimagesource.com

There were those in my kingdom who went against me, choosing to side with my son, Absalom, as he swept away my throne. Many fought in Absalom's army against their own brothers who served in my army. They also searched for me to end my life.

My army defeated Absalom's soldiers, and sadly my son lost his life in the battle. I listened to the words of my captain, Joab and went to the people at the gate to listen to their concerns. Once all the matters had been settled the elders asked me to take the throne again.

My army and their families marched back to the river Jordan and prepared to cross over to the west side and return to our homes. While I stood at the river's edge, Shimei rushed from his home to the shores on the other side and crossed to the east side of the river. 

He fell to the ground before me and said, "Please, my lord, forget the evil I have committed against you by following Absalom. I know I have sinned. See, I am the first one from my tribe, the tribe of Joseph to come down to the river and meet you."

Abishai the priest leaned close to me. "Don't listen to him, David. Put Shimei to death for cursing your name by following Absalom."

I shook my head and held up my hand. "You have no right to give me advise on this matter, Abishai. Why should anyone be put to death in Israel today? I don't need to kill any Israelite to prove I am king. Enough blood has been shed."

I turned to Shimei. "You shall not die." 

Shimei thanked me several times and stayed to help us cross. 

There is a time to punish and a time to forgive. Today we need to help our kingdom become one.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 14

The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.

 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
 They have all turned aside,
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.

 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge,
Who eat up my people as they eat bread,
And do not call on the Lord?
 There they are in great fear,
For God is with the generation of the righteous.
 You shame the counsel of the poor,
But the Lord is his refuge.

 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord brings back the captivity of His people,
Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

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1. Where were David and his men going?
2. Who came down to the river?
3. What did he say to David?
4. What did Abishai want to do?
5. What did David say?