Know The Consequences Of Throwing Stones. (Part Two)

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THROWING STONES

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (Part #2, Part #1 is: Only idiots throw stones.)

Text:

2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

2 Corinthians 4:4 (MSG) All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.

Quick review of the first lesson: ONLY IDIOTS THROW STONES, BLINDED MINDS… You must review, but move quickly. This is #2 Consequences of throwing stones.)

There are 18 different men in the Old Testament named SHIMEI. Of those 18 only two play a significant role.

Some of the 18 got caught in the trap of intermarriage out of the will of God. There was Shimei son of Gershon son of Levi. This Shimei was selected when Israel was leaving Egypt. His was assigned the task of helping in transporting and caring for the TABERNACLE, or the Tent of God.

THE MAIN CHARACTER NAMED SHIMEI WAS THE SON OF GERA. We recall this SHIMEI was in the family of the FIRST KING of Israel. SAUL was chasing donkeys and he met SAMUEL, the man of God. After spending some time together and a visitation of God, SAUL was anointed King. Normally in this time period a King established a dynasty of family members when the king died.

• SHIMEI assumed several invalid conclusions and perspectives.

• Saul and all of his sons died in the same battle the same day. Saul watched his sons die. Then Saul was wounded and he asked a fellow soldier to kill him. The soldier refused to kill the King. So Saul placed his sword in the mud and ran and fell on his own sword.

• With the death of Saul and his sons there was no clear heir to the throne. So SHIMEI being the close relative assumed he should become the King.

• When it became apparent that Shimei was not a candidate for the throne. Shimei aligned himself with DAVID’S REBELLIOUS SON ABSALOM. Absalom flattered and persuaded many loyal servants of his dad, David… to become the new King. Now Shimei would be an important figure under ABSALOM. Absalom was a slick talker and very persuasive and had many followers.

• Shimei could not accept David as the King because he knew the ugly, stained past of David. Shimei was sure DAVID COULD NEVER BE USED OF GOD.

• SHIMEI WAS QUICK TO INFORM ALL WHO WOULD LISTEN. Shemei blamed David for the death of Saul and his sons. This was not the truth. Saul’s death was a direct result of disobedience to the Preacher and to God’s instruction. Saul kept the enemy’s spoils of war and the pretty women and the prize animals. Saul undermined Samuel the Preacher.

• SHIMEI COULD NOT SEE THAT ABSALOM WAS A DECEIVER AND WAS STEPPING BEYOND GOD’S WILL. If Shimei could not reign at least he would have a high office and be an adviser to KING ABSALOM.

• WHEN JOAB KILLED ABSALOM WITH 3 DARTS TO HIS HEART. Absalom was riding his donkey when his hair got caught in the limbs of the tree. Absalom was an easy target and God’s plan would proceed. Shimei was on the wrong side again.

• SHIMEI always prided himself in hating David.

DAVID RETURNS TO JERUSALEM, HE IS STILL THE GOD ANOINTED KING OF ISRAEL… SHIMEI RECOGNIZES HE IS IN DEEP TROUBLE. SHIMEI COULD ONLY MUSTARD UP FAVOR WITH A 1,000 MEN OF HIS OWN FAMILY. (Tribe of Benjamin.) HE HAD SUPPORT OF HIS 15 SONS AND 20 SERVANTS.

So Shimei had 1035 family members. REMEMBER THE LAST TIME WE SEE DAVID AND SHIMEI it was a negative meeting. Shimei was cursing and throwing stones at the anointed King. David was GOD’S CHOICE. Shimei didn’t care. SHIMEI HATED DAVID WITH A BITTER PASSION.

2 Samuel 19:19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. 20 For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king. 21 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? 22 And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel? 23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.