The ones who Cursed David

19. February 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

We left off on yesterday with David taking his seat in the gateway of the city but he had not yet returned to the city, he was simply sitting in the gateway.    For the next couple of days, we will encounter some of the men that betrayed David and their response to David’s return. 

Here is our first story:

II Samuel 19: 15 Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan. Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan. 16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul’s household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. 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.

If you recall, when David fled the city, Shimei came out and begin to curse David and threw stones at him and his men. 

Let’s review that story.. Here it is:

II Samuel 18: 5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! 8 The LORD has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The LORD has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!” 9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.” 10 But the king said, “What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the LORD said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ “

Now this same Shimei is coming to ask David for forgiveness nd is concerned that David will order him killed.  David again shows mercy.

On Monday, we will look at what Mephishobeth, Saul’s son has to say.    Remember when he betrayed David and David turned his property over to his servant.   It is quite interesting what happens when he meets David in person.  We will discuss on Monday.

Have a great weekend. 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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