Righting Wrongs
Opening Prayer
Loving God, thank You that because of Your unfailing love for me I am secure in my relationship with You.
Read 2 SAMUEL 19:18-30
[18] They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king [19] and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. [20] For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first of the whole house of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.” [21] Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the LORD’s anointed.” [22] David replied, “What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? This day you have become my adversaries! Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Do I not know that today I am king over Israel?” [23] So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath. [24] Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. [25] When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?” [26] He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba my servant betrayed me. [27] And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever pleases you. [28] All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?” [29] The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the fields.” [30] Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has arrived home safely.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What do you learn of David's character here?Children are very open about their quarrels, but our attitude as adults is sometimes only a thinly disguised version of the same, and often the hurt lasts longer. When there has been conflict, whether on a large scale or simply friends falling out, we cannot pretend it never happened. Old hurts must be acknowledged and forgiven before there can be any reconciliation. The two encounters here are the final parts of stories begun in ch. 16. David shows forgiveness to Shimei, and is also reconciled to Mephibosheth.
Some people, like Abishai (21), think that David should act more harshly, as an example that the king should not be defied. There will always be those who see forgiveness as a sign of weakness, and criticize those who show it. In David, we see that forgiveness, far from being the easy or weak option, can be the right and strong thing to do. To forgive and put past hurts behind us demands real courage and comes from knowing ourselves to be in a secure position. David knows that his kingship is secure (22) and that his old friend is loyal (29); we can forgive those who hurt us because we know that we have been forgiven (Col. 3:13).
Apply
Are there any relationships you need to put right, perhaps with forgiveness? If so, ask God to help you do so quickly.
Closing prayer
Lord, help me make the first move in putting right any strained relationships. May I forgive as freely as You do.
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