2Sa 19:19-23 | KingComments | STEP | In connection with the message of crossing over the Jordan, several meetings take place, successively with Shimei, Mephibosheth and Barzillai. In all these cases we see a weak David, with still beautiful characteristics. It is difficult to interpret these meetings correctly. We can carefully learn a few things from them. With the tribe of Judah Shimei comes as well. He realizes that he must be quick to save his skin. He also realizes that he can only save his life if he acknowledges that he has been wrong and appeals to grace. While David crosses over to the promised land, Shimei falls down before David. He acknowledges his sin and at the same time points out that he is the first of Joseph’s house to acknowledge and honor David as king. Abishai clearly expresses his dissatisfaction with the evil that this man has done to his king. He immediately passes judgment and argues that Shimei should be killed for it. This is the third time that Abishai tries to get David to kill someone. First Saul ( ), then Shimei ( ), and here again. The first and second time David reacted well. It is difficult to say whether this is the case here. It may be that David grants Shimei grace from a false sense of generosity. He grants grace because he has become king again. David declares Abishai “an adversary” (literally: satan), because he wants to bring him to an action that is contrary to his desire to show mercy. Yet Shimei is later killed for his cursing of David. This is done by Solomon, on the advice of David ( ).

‏ 2 Samuel 19:19-23

David Shows Grace to Shimei

In connection with the message of crossing over the Jordan, several meetings take place, successively with Shimei, Mephibosheth and Barzillai. In all these cases we see a weak David, with still beautiful characteristics. It is difficult to interpret these meetings correctly. We can carefully learn a few things from them.

With the tribe of Judah Shimei comes as well. He realizes that he must be quick to save his skin. He also realizes that he can only save his life if he acknowledges that he has been wrong and appeals to grace. While David crosses over to the promised land, Shimei falls down before David. He acknowledges his sin and at the same time points out that he is the first of Joseph’s house to acknowledge and honor David as king.

Abishai clearly expresses his dissatisfaction with the evil that this man has done to his king. He immediately passes judgment and argues that Shimei should be killed for it. This is the third time that Abishai tries to get David to kill someone. First Saul (1Sam 26:8), then Shimei (2Sam 16:9), and here again. The first and second time David reacted well. It is difficult to say whether this is the case here. It may be that David grants Shimei grace from a false sense of generosity. He grants grace because he has become king again.

David declares Abishai “an adversary” (literally: satan), because he wants to bring him to an action that is contrary to his desire to show mercy. Yet Shimei is later killed for his cursing of David. This is done by Solomon, on the advice of David (1Kgs 2:8-9 ; 44 ; 46).