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2 Samuel 19:16-23 – Delayed Judgement

Shimei and Ziba in particular might have thought that David would never come back. But here he is. And it’s going to be a day of reckoning for them. So how does David respond to these 3 men?

David refuses the request of Abishai to put Shimei to death. We’re reminded, perhaps, of Jesus’ refusal to let James and John call down fire from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village which did not receive Jesus. They want to call down fire from heaven – Jesus turns and rebukes them. Here, Abishai wants Shimei put to death, and David responds: ‘What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?’ But is it a case of David pardoning his enemies, or more the case that, in verse 22, he doesn’t want anyone in Israel put to death that day? Because there’s no indication that Shimei’s repentance in verses 19 and 20 is genuine. Shimei has made a big miscalculation, and I don’t think we have any reason to see this as anything other than an attempt to save his own skin. Perhaps we might think his repentance was genuine if all we had to go on was this chapter. But in 1st Kings 2:8, David leaves instructions with Solomon about him. David tells Solomon that although he had sworn not to put him to death with the sword, Solomon is not to hold him guiltless. I don’t think we have to defend everything David does in this chapter. Some of his decisions seem clearly to be influenced by expediency and pragmatism. But I think here we can take him at his word that he doesn’t want anyone put to death this day. Just like Jesus wouldn’t let James and John call down fire from heaven – but those in that village who rejected him will still have to answer for that one day, if they didn’t repent. Either way, Shimei is an example of someone who repents only after the king he cursed returns in glory. And it’s too late. Just as it will be too late for anyone to try and put their trust in Jesus once he comes back. ‘Now is the favourable time; now is the day of salvation’. So to say that David pardons Shimei here is to go too far. He delays judgement. He promises that he won’t personally do it. But Shimei will still one day have to answer for what he’s done.

Question

  1. What happens to Shimei?

Prayer Points

  1. Pray that we would not put off being reconciled to God until it is too late.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.