There Are Benefits In Forgiveness Series

Psalm 91 - Series

Shimei had security in Jerusalem.

We read in 1 Kings 2:36, “Then the king sent and summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever.” (ESV)

When Solomon was King of Israel, he summoned Shimei and instructed him that he build a house in Jerusalem and live there. Solomon also cautioned Shimei that he should never leave the confines of Jerusalem, no matter what happened. Shimei was guaranteed protection only as long as he continued in Jerusalem, for Solomon warned him of what would transpire if he chose to disobey this command.

In 1 Kings 2:37, we read, “If you ever cross Kidron Valley and leave Jerusalem, you will be killed. And it will be your own fault.” (CEV)

The reason for this restriction on Shimei was that when Solomon’s father Kind David, was king over Israel, Shiemei disrespected David and cursed him. However, David graciously forgave Shimei and did not inflict any sort of punishment on him.

The word of God teaches us to be submissive to those in authority and not to treat them with contempt or disregard. We too have at many times displeased God, but God in His mercy choses to forgive us when we repent and it is His will that we remain in His protective care. Just like Jerusalem was a city of refuge for Shimei, so too the Lord has promised to be our security.

That is the assurance that is detailed out to us in Psalm 91:1, “Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful.” (CEV)

The place of safety for God’s children is in the presence of God, under the shadow of the Almighty and All-Powerful God. As long as we remain under God’s protection, no evil will befall us and no disease will come near our dwelling.

Shimei walked out of the security?

Shimei enjoyed this security as long as he stayed within the boundaries of Jerusalem. Let us see what happened a few years later.

We read in 1 Kings 2:39-40, “But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei's servants ran away to Achish, son of Maacah, king of Gath. And when it was told Shimei, “Behold, your servants are in Gath,” Shimei arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants. Shimei went and brought his servants from Gath.” (CEV)

After three years Shimei forgot his oath with King Solomon to not depart from Jerusalem, which was his place of security. When Shimei heard that two of his servants had fled to Gath, he saddled his donkey, went in pursuit of them out of the borders of Jerusalem and brought them back. Mission completed successfully.

We are not sure how Shimei treated his servants that made them decide to escape from him. We can fairly assume that Shimei who had received forgiveness and mercy at the hands of Kind David failed to extend this same grace to his servants who had wronged him.

When King Solomon was informed that Shimei had disobeyed his orders and left Jerusalem to go to Gath, Solomon called him, inquired of him and put him to death. This calamity which came upon Shimei was a consequence of his own willful disobedience and there was nothing wrong on King Solomon’s part, as he only meted out a just judgement.

Oftentimes we are forgetful of the fact that we are truly safe, simply because we are under the care of an Almighty God. Especially when we are caught up with the business of the mundane, we tend to not remember that God’s protection is over us as long as we walk in obedience to His commands and live in His presence. So often under various circumstances we too step out of line of God’s commandments and sometimes we are not even aware of this.

Psalm 91 as a whole is the promise and assurance that God gives to those who are His children, who are willing to walk in obedience to Him and live in His presence. Having walked out of God’s protection by willful disobedience there are those who instead of taking stock of their own lives, blame God for the calamities that befall them. It is good for each one of us to analyze our lives and realize that when we deliberately disobey the commandments of God, we will be liable to face the judgement of God on our lives.

I would like to share about one aspect of God’s commandment that is widely being disobeyed today. This is an important command of God, which many having rejected have heaped many hardships and even several ailments on themselves.