2 Samuel 19

"Now Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king when he had crossed the Jordan...But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” And David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I not know that today I am king over Israel?” Therefore the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king swore to him." vv.18,21-23


Read chapter 19

If you remember back in chapter 16 when Shimei is cursing David, throwing stones at him and kicked dust all over David and his men as they are walking through and David said not to kill him but to continue on. Shimei was of the family of Saul and was still bitter about his death and David becoming king over Saul so responded this way yet David showed grace in not responding to kill him in that moment for perhaps it was from the Lord. Well now we see Absalom dead and David returning as king in Jerusalem and Shimei falling down before David asking mercy and forgiveness. David doesn't respond with "I told you so" or make him feel guilty with his words as the Lord's deliverance of David showed that, the Lord's doing called out a guilty sinner. How often do we think we need to speak up for God like Abishai tried to in telling David that Shimei should be put to death where repentance of him followed only days later on his own between him and God. Yes we can be bold and share God's truth with others and hope that they don't "kill the messenger" but let's not put words into God's mouth or think that we are helping God out by taking justice in our own hands. True repentance will follow, sometime only moments or days later and sometimes not for years or even till Christ's return.