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?

David-His Men Obeyed Even Though They Didn't Want To.

by Mary Vee

II Samuel 16

From Abishai's Notes

I thought...I expected the kingdom to be settled in Jerusalem for all time once David sat on the throne. God anointed him king, and the people should have honored God's chosen one.  Recently, Absalom, David's son stole the people's heart and the throne.

I gave my allegiance to king David and will always remain loyal to him. The price we who followed him had to pay was banishment from the city where we had our homes. We brought our families, our wives and young children and left possessions we could not carry. When we slept at night, we had no idea where we would go the next day. 

But in all the uncertainty we had blessings. We had our king leading us, remaining faithful to God. We had our families, laughter, singing, and the knowledge we made the right choice, no matter how difficult.

On our journey we came to Bahurim in the country where Saul's family lived. A man named Shimei stomped out from his house cursing at David. He threw stones at our king and all the servants walking beside him.

The guards swarmed around David to protect him. Shimei yelled, "Come out! Come out! you blood thirsty man, you scoundrel. Can't you see the Lord has brought upon you this punishment for taking the thrown from the house of Saul? Now, see, the Lord has given the kingdom to your son, Absalom. Hah! Now you are caught in your own evil because you are a bloodthirsty man!"

I couldn't endure hearing another evil word from this man. He had no right to speak this way to the one God appointed as king. I leaned close to David and said, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please let me go over and take off his head!"

I was ready. This man, Shimei would never say another evil word to my king again. My blood boiled and I had a burst of energy ready to take on an army.

But the king said, "No Abishai. Let him curse. The Lord has put this in his heart. Who can then say, why has David killed Shimei. No. Abishai. Leave him."

David turned to all his servants and said, "See how Absalom, my son, works to end my life? How much more should this Benjamite man? They both think they are right. Let this man alone and let him curse because the Lord has ordered him to do so. Maybe the Lord will look on my grief and hardship and repay me with good for enduring this cursing."

We didn't want to, but we obeyed David's orders. Shimei followed us along the hillside continuing to curse and throw stones. He even kicked dust on David. Imagine, having the nerve to kick dust on the king. Oh, if only I could have squashed that bug.

At long last we walked further than Shimei was willing to follow. There we took a break at a river.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 4

Answer me when I pray,
    O God, my defender!
When I was in trouble, you helped me.
    Be kind to me now and hear my prayer.

 How long will you people insult me?
    How long will you love what is worthless
    and go after what is false?

 Remember that the Lord has chosen the righteous for his own,
    and he hears me when I call to him.

 Tremble with fear and stop sinning;
    think deeply about this,
    when you lie in silence on your beds.
 Offer the right sacrifices to the Lord,
    and put your trust in him.

 There are many who pray:
    “Give us more blessings, O Lord.
    Look on us with kindness!”
 But the joy that you have given me
    is more than they will ever have
    with all their grain and wine.

 When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace;
    you alone, O Lord, keep me perfectly safe.

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1.  What tribe did Shimei belong to?

2.  What did he do when David and his followers walked by his land?

3.  Why did he do that?

4.  What famous Israelite belonged to the same family as Shimei?

5.  What did Shimei want?

6.  Who tried to protect king David?

7.  What did David tell him and all his followers?

8.  Did they obey him?