Scripture
Our verse for today comes from 1 Kings 2:42, ” Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, ‘Did I not make you swear by the Lord, and warn you, saying, ” Know for certain that on the day you go out and travel anywhere, you shall surely die ” ? And you said to me, ” The word I have heard is good. ” ‘ “
Background
Our story today finds Solomon having banished Shimei to Jerusalem, commanding him to live and stay in the city and not to leave. Shimei, a relative of Saul, had been the one who cursed King David, throwing stones at him as he mocked him for his son Absalom’s attempts to kill David and take over the throne. David allowed Shimei to curse him without punishment, but one of his instructions to Solomon before he died was that he should take care of Shimei according to his guilt. So Solomon commanded Shimei to stay in Jerusalem under punishment of death if he left, knowing that one day he would be his own undoing. Three years later, two of Shimei’s slaves run away, and so Shimei packs up and goes to bring them back. When word of his trip reaches Solomon, the king knows that Shimei has finally signed his own death warrant. Solomon goes to him, reminds him of the wickedness he had done in the past, and carries out the death penalty he had proscribed for him. So what does this have to do with us, this Old Testament history with bad blood between two families? Well, Shimei went after his slaves probably thinking that it was no big deal. Anyone back then would assume you should go and retrieve your missing slaves. But the task of bringing them back home was in direct violation of the king’s commands. Regardless of how good it sounded or how practical it seemed to his household, it was not permitted.
Application
When we know something is wrong, be it gossip or jealousy or bitterness, justifying it based on our circumstances or the faults of another does not make it right. When we refuse to forgive or to place Jesus above all others, there is no acceptable excuse. David and Solomon certainly had their faults, but Shimei had been given a command. We may not understand why something is happening, or feel real natural doing what He’s asked of us, but He desires it of us. He loves us, so let’s obey Him. That is our love to Him.
Charge
As we seek Him today, consider what you are justifying that you should not be doing. Ask God to point out what you need to stop doing, or start doing.
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Rich Holt / Originally Published on : BCWorldview.org
Also published on : Medium.com.
