LESSONS FROM SHIMEI

LESSONS FROM SHIMEI

Today we are going to meet a man named Shimei. As if the deceit of Ziba was not enough to trouble King David’s self-imposed exile, we now encounter Shimei. As the King and his people draw close to their intended destination they see a very angry man. This fellow is crouched and waiting along the roadside. He is hoping to ambush David and his men. His name was Shimei.

The scriptures record this man as being the Son of Gera. Like the former King Saul, Gera was a Benjamite. It is said that Gera and his son, Shimei were ancestors of Mordecai. That may be the only good thing I can say about Shimei. So, we know that Shimei was one of Saul’s relatives. I imagine he lost prestige and power when Saul died, and David’s reign began. This loss of power and authority seems to have turned his heart toward bitterness. Shimei is holding grudges against David. Here we see him making a public display of his bitterness. The anger he displays is obvious to everyone traveling the road. His loud words proclaim his actions.

STICKS AND STONES

Shimei is standing up on the mountain above the road King David is walking. He is furiously pelting rocks and dirt upon David and his men. Of course David is surrounded by his military, but all of the stones Shimei is throwing are aimed strategically in his direction. It is a good day to be traveling in full armour.

The man named Shimei was not just casting stones at the King, he was also cursing him as he passed through the land. Hatred flew from his lips as the stones flew from his hands.

As David passes, Shemei yells loudly and says “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! 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 given the Kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”

The first thing that popped into my head upon reading this passage was an old adage from  childhood. It is a familiar old phrase that says, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” 

Shimei was not just throwing word curses though, he was including the sticks and stones too. I am sure this was very annoying and painful for King David and his men.  It could have been an extremely dangerous situation.

ABISHAI TO THE RESCUE

Abishai stands by as one of the leaders with David. He hears the words from Shimei and wants to kill him in David’s defense. This loyal commander turns to David and asks him why he allows such cursing to continue. He calls Shimei a “dog” and asks for David’s permission to cut off his head.

David refuses to let this happen. Here is his reply:  “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord , said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”

This is where I immediately had visions of Peter defending Jesus as they came to arrest Him before the crucifixion. Peter actually cut a man’s ear off. Yeshua had to put it back.  Neither Messiah nor David had retaliation in mind on these centuries apart occasions. Both showed mercy toward the one who was standing against them.

MERCY TOWARD ENEMIES

At this point in today’s story, King David turns to Abishai and his other officials. He makes this surprising statement, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”

So, Abishai refrained. All of the King’s party kept walking, trying to ignore the fact that Shimei continued to curse and throw stones and dirt their way.

This tired and weary group of travelers finally reached their destination. Everyone, including King David, was exhausted. The sad group rested. It was critical that they rest and refresh themselves as they waited to see what would happen next.

SIGNIFICANT PATTERNS

Again, I can see patterns of prophecy concerning Messiah hiding within this part of David’s story. I have already referred to the parallel of Peter and Abishai.

I hope the reader will clearly understand that I am not setting myself up as a prophet. Seeing the truth of scripture is a gift from God that anyone can possess. Anyone reading and studying the scriptures continuously can arrive at this same conclusion. Just ask God to reveal the significance of the scripture and He will. If you study and know chiastic structures and patterns from scriptures, you may arrive at these parallel examples even faster. They are always interesting and revealing.

Here is what I see happening in this part of the story. I believe that Shimei’s cursing and throwing stones at David is a shadow of the rejection and humiliation Messiah faced as He made his way toward the cross. The scriptures speak of how horrible He was treated. He was beaten, spit upon, whipped and cursed by the crowd. David is being mocked and scorned by Shimei much in the same manner.  Shimei’s actions illustrate mankind’s sinful response to God in the fulfillment and unfolding of God’s plan. It is our reaction to God’s ways that will matter the most in the end. This is a repeated theme through both the Old and New Testaments.

THE REST OF THE STORY 

Later, long after this moment in time is over, we will see how Shimei reverses this opinion and begs for David’s forgiveness. Even that action is shadowing how we learn to repent and come to believe in the saving power of Messiah. That part of the story will have more details as we progress through the scriptures and the rest of the story. However, I must mention it now in order for you to see and understand. Knowing the basics of the rest of this story will help us to relate to all that is happening in this one little part of David’s journey through an ugly exile. There are so many parallels to the life of Messiah.

So many of these parallels are seen in the form of a more modern exercise we call “stations of the cross.” If you have walked these stations you have metaphorically walked this same road. You could say David’s walk into exile was his own special version of Stations of the Cross. Of course, he did not know that at the time.

Again, the point is that David’s walk into exile and Messiah’s walk to the cross have so much in common. These exercises in awareness also help us to understand the differences in the two journeys. David’s journey was one of a man who attempted to stand perfectly before God because of the love in his heart for his Creator. However, David failed. Messiah’s journey ended in perfection. Yeshua, Our Messiah is the only One who could achieve what God intended for mankind all along. He lived on this earth without sin. Sin kicked men out of The Garden, but the love of Messiah will bring us back home. Messiah loved so much that He died for all of those who lived as imperfectly as David. His compassion became our salvation.

Almost every illustration in our bible points to this amazing truth.

WHY THE CONSTANT REPETITIONS?

Of course these parallels we are noticing are part of how the bible employs the use of chiastic structures. This tool is often used in the writings of the scriptures. It exists in order to put emphasis and themes to certain stories which God wants us to remember. This is a type of repetition God uses for the sake of importance. We will cover that subject of chiastic structures more later. I am certain we will be unearthing these chiastic structures in every new story. For now, I simply want you to see how Shimei’s actions show yet another pattern for us to ponder.

His interactions with David teach profound lessons about repentance and the consequences of our words.

Yes, this passage forms yet another chiastic mirror for us to ponder and consider further. We start with the telling in 2 Samuel 16. A further study can be found in 1 Kings Chapter 2. So much from this story from David mirrors the path of Jesus as He made his way to the cross. Let us keep walking with David to see more.

DAVID’S DISCERNMENT FOR GOD’S MERCY

Shimei called David “a man of bloodshed.”  David felt God was allowing Shimei to curse him. Therefore, David acted in humility and submitted without recourse. This is one of the hardest things for a true believer to master. It requires true humility.

Can you see the mirror of Yeshua? Was this not a prophetic moment in time? These many chiastic examples in the scriptures are further proof that the bible is God’s true and inspired word. Here are passages repeating truths which have not yet happened. Only God could have known these things, yet the authors of the scriptures were inspired to write these words for us to know and learn.

Besides this clear demonstration that the words of scripture are alive, we also are able to look at what happened with David and Shimei and take away some profound lessons for daily living.

1.  Through Shimei’s actions we see the results of a life full of bitterness. Bitterness eats away at the soul. It overshadows wisdom and distorts reverence for authority.
2. We see how unchecked anger can cloud one’s judgment.
3. Shimei demonstrated betrayal against God’s anointed King. We should always show loyalty and respect to God’s anointed.

SUMMARY

Our words have consequences. Unchecked anger can lead us down a dangerous path. Proverbs 18:21 is an incredibly wise scripture to remember, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

True disciples of Yeshua must learn to guard their speech. They must extend sincere repentance when they recognize their mistakes in judgment.

Sadly, we will learn later in our journey through the life of King David that Shimei never changed. Unchecked bitterness stayed within his soul. Though outwardly he repented, his heart did not completely change. To the end of his days Shimei continued to carry a bitterness against the Lord’s anointed. He never made the spiritual transformation which Yeshua calls for in each of us.

It is said that actions confirm the sincerity of one’s heart. As disciples of Yeshua we must continuously ask ourselves what impact our words are having on our relationships both with God and with our fellowman. Are we being careful to repent of wrong words when this is appropriate? Will we allow God to transition our bitterness into His chesed love? Do we exercise restraint in moments of provocation? True repentance requires change.

In today’s lesson we see how David extended mercy.  Let his actions, which truly mirror Yeshua, guide us in the expressions of our hearts. 

VERSE

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)

PRAYER

Father, Please help us to guard our tongues. Let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no.” Teach us not to use idle words or to use our words to hurt, accuse, injure, or slander our neighbors. Especially, let us consider and honor Your Holy Name each time we speak. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing and acceptable to You, Our God. Amen

SONG

LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH – PSALM 19 PEACEFUL WORSHIP DUET – By Marire Pehrson Kuhns