When David was old and about to go the
way of all earth, he spoke to his son Solomon, the new king, about
Shimei. When Shimei had blasphemed the Lord's anointed, that was a
serious affair. David had spared his life under oath, but now the matter
was in Solomon's hands. David advised Solomon not to regard him as
guiltless, but to do with him according to what might be considered
wise.
Following the death of Saul there was
long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. Abner, who
had commanded Saul's army, made Saul's son, Ishbosheth, king as a rival
of David. Eventually, David was recognized as the lawful ruler over all
the tribes. Some resentment against David lingered.
The story of Shimei is told in
2 Samuel 16:5‑13;
19:16‑23; and
1 Kings 2:8‑9,
36‑46. This little‑known Bible
character is a rather interesting man. His actions and the reactions by
David and Solomon reflect the conditions in Israel in the days of the
United Kingdom and remind us of problems confronting ancient monarchs.
There are lessons for us as well.
Shimei
the Slanderer
David and his loyal supporters found it
necessary to flee Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion. They made their
way eastward to the Mount of Olives and on to the Jordan, eventually
reaching Mahanaim. Not far from the Mount of Olives they came to Bahurim
in Benjamite territory. It was there that Shimei, son of Gera, came
forth and cursed David. He threw stones at David and his servants,
yelling, "Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial."
Shimei asserted that the Lord had returned upon David the blood of the
house of Saul. He felt that David was responsible for the overthrow of
Saul's rule. He may have supposed that David had something to do with
the deaths of Saul and his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, as
well as the deaths of Ishbosheth and Abner. He further considered the
rebellion of Absalom as a means of David's being taken in his own
mischief. To the partisan mind of Shimei, David was a bloody man.
Abishai, David's nephew and one of his
captains, asked the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord, the
king?" He wanted to go over and lop off Shimei's head. David felt that
this cursing might be a part of David's own punishment for the sins he
had committed, so he said, "Behold, my son . . . seeketh my life: how
much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him
curse; for the Lord hath bidden him." David felt that he must bear
affliction, and he looked to the Lord to repay good for evil. So Shimei
continued along the way, cursing as he went, throwing stones, and
casting dust.
Shimei took advantage of David's
humiliating situation. He vented his hatred for the king. He was of the
family of the house of Saul, clearly in sympathy with Saul's house,
angry that someone from the tribe of Judah was ruling, and happy that
David's son Absalom was attempting to overthrow the king. David showed
remarkable composure under these trying circumstances. Abishai would
gladly have cut off Shimei's head if David had just given the word.
Shimei
the Spared Sinner
After Absalom was killed and his revolt
ended, David began the journey from Mahanaim, east of Jordan, back to
Jerusalem. At the Jordan he was met by Shimei the Benjamite, and with
him there were a thousand men of Benjamin. Shimei is not cursing and
calling David ugly names, nor throwing stones and kicking up dust. He
falls down before the king and pleads for mercy. He confesses, "I have
sinned." Doubtless he wanted to impress David that he was a man of
considerable influence by bringing a thousand men with him. He knows his
life is in the hands of the king.
Abishai, brother of Joab, asks, "Shall
not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord's
anointed?" Abishai and Joab were quick to settle all matters with the
sword! David grew a bit weary with them at times.
At the moment David was more interested
in healing and bringing the people together than he was in putting
someone to death. He said to Shimei, "Thou shalt not die. And the king
sware unto him." David had been through some very difficult days and
longed for peace. He wanted his return to Jerusalem to be a time of
rejoicing, not a day of vengeance.
Shimei
the Self‑convicted
When David was old and about to go the
way of all earth, he spoke to his son Solomon, the new king, about
Shimei. When Shimei had blasphemed the Lord's anointed, that was a
serious affair. David had spared his life under oath, but now the matter
was in Solomon's hands. David advised Solomon not to regard him as
guiltless, but to do with him according to what might be considered
wise.
Solomon called for Shimei, instructed
him to build himself a house in Jerusalem, and not to leave the city.
This would keep him under surveillance and away from the other
Benjamites. He was warned that if he left the city, "Thou shalt know for
certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon shine own
head." Shimei acknowledged, "The saying is good: as my lord the king
hath said, so will thy servant do." Solomon was giving Shimei a place of
refuge in the city that was Israel's pride. If Shimei would abide by the
king's instructions, he could live out his days in peace.
Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem for three
years. Then two of his servants ran away to Gath. Shimei did a very
foolish thing. Instead of petitioning the king for permission to seek
those servants, or arranging for someone else to being them back, he
saddled his ass and went to Gath in person and brought back the
servants. He risked his life for the sake of regaining two runaway
slaves. Perhaps he thought that Solomon's oath would be forgotten after
all this time. Maybe he supposed he could slip away, bring back his
servants, and the king would never know about it. Before we judge him
too harshly, let us be reminded that people act in an equally senseless
manner today. Many throw off divine restraints and violate the will of
God. They suppose that their deeds will go undetected by the King of
heaven. They risk their souls for earthly possessions.
Solomon learned of Shimei's violation
of his agreement. He reminded him that he had sworn by the Lord to
remain in Jerusalem. "Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the Lord,
and the commandment that I have charged thee with?" Solomon declared
that "the Lord shall return thy wickedness upon shine own head." Shimei
stood self‑condemned. He had admitted that Solomon's agreement with him
was good. He had nothing to plead in self defense.
Acting upon orders from King Solomon,
Benaiah fell upon Shimei that he died. Despite David's leniency toward
him, and Solomon's allowing him to live in peace provided he would
remain in Jerusalem, Shimei sealed his own fate. Many today are given
marvelous opportunities by the mercy and grace of God, but they, like
Shimei, play the fool.
