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.
Remember the last meeting at the river was in hatred, stone throwing and cursing. (Can I remind you no man can curse what God has blesses.) When David was leaving, his men wanted to KILL SHIMEI. Shimei deserved to be killed for cursing God’s anointed. DAVID REFUSED TO ALLOW THE JUDGMENT OF DEATH.
IS SHIMEI REALLY SORRY FOR HIS STONE THROWING? DAVID COULD SEE THROUGH HIS WORDS. 1035?
DAVID IS RETURNING HOME, VICTOR… SHIMEI is back at the river. IT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME. Shimei is crying and humbled himself before God’s man. The 1035 with SHIMEI REVEAL HIS TRUE HEART. Why bring his support if he is truly repentant?
But DAVID EXTENDS MERCY TO HIS ENEMY… AND SPARES HIS LIFE… NEVER FORGET SHIMEI THE STONE THROWER IS STILL A THREAT TO THE KINGDOM.
AS DAVID IS ON HIS DEATH BED HE REMEMBERED THE THREAT, THE STONE THROWING AND CURSING OF A ENEMY TO THE THRONE. DAVID CALLS SOLOMON TO HIS DEATH BED AND SAYS YOU NEED TO REMEMBER SHIMEI OF SAUL’S FAMILY. SEEMS SHIMEI CONTINUED TO BE A THORN IN DAVID’S RULE.
1 Kings 2:7 But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother. 8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. 9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.
SOLOMON LISTENED TO HIS DAD’S ADVICE AND HE CALLED THE STONE THROWER, CURSER INTO THE THRONE ROOM AND THERE SHIMEI AND SOLOMON MADE AN OFFICAL AGREEMENT THAT WILL REVEAL SHIMEI’S REAL HEART.
1 Kings 2:36 And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither. 37 For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
SHIMEI AND SOLOMON MADE THIS CLEAR AGREEMENT --- AS LONG AS SHIMEI STAYS IN THE CITY LIMITS OF JERUSALEM SHIMEI CAN LIVE. BUT IF SHIMEI EVER LEAVES JERUSALEM AND PASSES OVER BROOK KIDRON THE PACT WOULD BE VOID AND SHIMEI WILL PAY WITH HIS LIVE. Shimei agrees. THAT IS FAIR!
1 Kings 2:38 And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days. 39 And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran away unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, Behold, thy servants be in Gath. 40 And Shimei arose, and saddled his ass, and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants: and Shimei went, and brought his servants from Gath. 41 And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again. 42 And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the LORD, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good. 43 Why then hast thou not kept the oath of the LORD, and the commandment that I have charged thee with? 44 The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head; 45 And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever. 46 So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
God is a revealer of the secrets of the heart. Shimei was a rebellious and he would undermine David or Solomon when he had the chance. THE STONE THROWER WAS REVEALED BY NOT HONORING HIS FINAL CHANCE TO PROVE HE WAS LOYAL. Solomon has an honest discussion and tells Shimei you know, I know and for sure you know the evil in your heart that made you desire to destroy THE THRONE OF GOD’S PLAN. YOU ACCEPTED THE PACT, YOU BROKE THE CONTRACT… NOW SETTLE UP, PAY THE PRICE… SHIMEI WAS THEN LEGALLY EXECUTED FOR WHAT WAS IN HIS HEART WAS REVEALED. STONE THROWING IS DANGEROUS.
Conclusion: So we should know STONE THROWING IS VERY REVEALING TO ISSUES OF THE HEART. HERE IS THE QUALIFICATIONS TO THROW STONES. IT TOOK ABOUT 20 YEARS BUT THE ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR OF THE STONE THROWER WAS REVEALED. NEVER FORGET SHIMEI LEFT THE SAFETY BOUNDARIES AND PAID THE PRICE. STAY IN THE HOUSE WHERE THE BLOOD IS APPLIED. Rarely do real stone throwers seek real reconciliation.
John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Invest in me? Pass this message to another preacher?
This is part #2… The consequences of throwing stones. Part #1 is: Only idiots throw stones.
