“Then Shimei son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David, along with a thousand men of Benjamin, as well as Ziba the steward of the house of Saul and his fifteen sons and twenty servants.
They rushed down to the Jordan before the king and crossed at the ford to carry over the king’s household and to do what was good in his sight.
When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king and said, “My lord, do not hold me guilty, and do not remember your servant’s wrongdoing on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king not take it to heart. For your servant knows that I have sinned, so here I am today as the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.”
But Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?” And David replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, what have I to do with you, that you should be my adversaries today? Should any man be put to death in Israel today? Am I not indeed aware that today I am king over Israel?”
So, the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” Then the king swore an oath to him.”
Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely. And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?”
“My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me, and he has slandered your servant to my lord the king.
Yet my lord the king is like the angel of God, so do what is good in your eyes. For all the house of my grandfather deserves death from my lord the king, yet you have set your servant among those who eat at your table. What further right, then, do I have to keep appealing to the king?”
The king replied, “Why say any more? I hereby declare that you and Ziba are to divide the land.”
And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has safely come to his own house, let Ziba take it all!”
Remember Shimei? Shimei is a close relative of the late King Saul from the tribe of Benjamin. When David was fleeing Jerusalem, Shimei cursed at him and threw rocks at him. Now the tables have turned, and Shimei realizes that he needs to do damage control ASAP! Shimei and 1,000 Benjamites, plus Ziba, Saul’s former servant with his fifteen sons and twenty servants all rush to the Jordan to help bring King David’s household back across the river. Ziba, of course, is concerned because the lies he has told about Saul’s grandson Mephibosheth are about to be revealed.
As soon as Shimei has crossed the Jordan, he throws himself on the ground before David, begging for forgiveness. Slandering kings is always a risky business, and Shimei realizes that his earlier raging at David may now cost him his life. Notice that Shimei is accompanied by 1,000 Benjamites; Shimei hopes that the size of this retinue will impress David with his sincerity. Despite the urging of one of David’s army commanders, David graciously forgives Shimei, stating that he is sure of his kingship and does not need to spill any blood to prove himself.
Poor Mephibosheth! Mephibosheth is Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson and is crippled due to an injury in childhood. When David was fleeing Jerusalem, Mephibosheth wanted to accompany him on a donkey; however, Ziba and his household refused to assist him. Ziba, remember, rushed out to meet David with provisions and told an enormous lie that Mephibosheth was supporting Absalom. David is prepared to divide Saul and Jonathan’s property between Mephibosheth and Ziba; however, Mephibosheth wisely tells David to let Ziba have it all. From this point onwards, Mephibosheth prefers to trust David. Ziba has already proven to be treacherous. For Mephibosheth, it is far safer to have nothing to do with Ziba whatsoever.
APPLICATION: Here David gives a shining example of forgiveness. Shimei knows that David could have him killed, and some of David’s supporters are urging David to do so. But David’s reply is classic: “Should any man be put to death in Israel today? Am I not indeed aware that today I am king over Israel?” David doesn’t need to make any more dramatic gestures. God has restored David, and that’s the end of it.
This story illustrates some of the reasons that people looked up to David as a leader. David has the power to initiate a blood bath among the Benjamites, but he does not. David wants to provide for Jonathan’s son; however, he too realizes that Ziba is a manipulator. David has already promised Mephibosheth that he will care for him because of David’s covenant with Jonathan.
With leadership comes the temptation to abuse power and to take revenge on those who have attempted to undermine you in some fashion. But as leaders, we need to remember what God tells us in Galatians 6:7 – 8 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” And God specifically warns us against taking revenge in Romans 12:19. “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”
God knows the human heart far better than we do, and it is much better to leave things to God and allow Him to sort out the people who have opposed us or undermined us. If someone has acted unjustly toward you, it is far better to allow God to bring that person to repentance. “But what if such a person never repents?” you ask. “How am I to get satisfaction?” Continue to pray for such people, asking God to reveal Himself to them, so that they will change and behave righteously. May God help us, so that we will respond to challenges in His Holy Spirit!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, You know the stresses of leadership far far better than anyone else. Help all leaders to look to You and to allow You to sort out those who rebel or undermine. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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