Shemei asks for forgiveness

Following Absalom's death, David returns to his throne. Of course, those who had sided with Absalom during his rebellion had much to fear, especially Shemei, who, in 2 Samuel 16, openly mocked David.

But when David returns to power, Shemei humbles himself before David and says (2 Samuel 19:20, KJV),

Thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day ... to meet my lord the king.

And David, showing great mercy, forgave him.

Now, to be sure, Shemei's story is a complicated one. David eventually advises Solomon to execute Shemei in 1 Kings 2, which draws into question Shemei's sincerity. But it is not David's job to judge sincerity. That's God's role. Rather, David's job is to show mercy, which he does.

Of course, David, himself, would need such mercy on multiple occasions. And God was willing to forgive David because David had shown mercy to others.

The lesson for us, then, is to be merciful, because we undoubtedly also need mercy!

Working for God

In Colossians 3:23 (KJV), Paul says,

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

The message is simple: Our actions should aim to please God, not other people. The sorts of things that attract human approval often stand in contrast to what God wants from us.

But what about times when our limited understanding prevents us from seeing God's will? That is, we come to a fork in the road, and we're not sure which path pleases God. In Proverbs 3:6 (KJV), Solomon says,

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

The point is this: We must keep God on our minds. We must ask him to direct our paths. And in doing so, we'll follow the path that pleases God.

The LORD is with thee

2 Samuel 7 is a watershed moment in the Bible. That is the chapter in which David says to his spiritual advisor, Nathan, that he plans to build a temple to honor God. In response, God announces the "Davidic Covenant": David would forever have one of his descendants in place as king. Of course, with Jesus coming from the line of David, and with Jesus assuming the dual role of king and priest, the Davidic Covenant seems to have been fulfilled. Lest there be any doubt, God predicts about David's descendant (2 Samuel 7:12-14, KJV),

I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son.

As explored in a previous post, these words seem to have dual applicability to both Solomon and Jesus.

But, now, let's turn to Nathan's response to David's plan to build a temple. Nathan says (2 Samuel 7:3, KJV),

Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee.

The reason God was with David was because David wrote and published words such as (Psalm 108:3, KJV),

I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

Simple words of praise, without embarrassment, in plain view of the whole earth. And those words remain with us to this day. David is perhaps the premier example of how to offer praise. Let's attempt to follow his example in our own prayers.

"Modern" idolatry

The history books of the Old Testament tell of the people's continual infatuation with idols, including such things as Asherah poles. For example, in Exodus 34:13 (NLT), God commands,

Break down their pagan altars, smash their sacred pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles.

But in 2016, not only do I not own an Asherah pole, I don't even know where to find one! So am I free of idolatry?

Theologians define "idolatry," in modern terms, as an infatuation with anything above God. Money, professional success, social standing, etc. If we emphasize those things more than our relationship with God, then we're guilty of idolatry.

But loosening the definition of idolatry is not a "modern" idea. Indeed, Paul says (Galatians 5:19-21, NLT),

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the idea that idolatry involves more than just idol worship is even older than that! In 1 Samuel 15:23 (NLT), Samuel says to Saul,

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.

The point is this: idolatry involves more than worshiping stones and poles. When we pursue earthy interests and defy God's will, we commit idolatry. And idolatry is a problem because (Psalm 115:8, NLT),

Those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.

A motivation to love others

Matthew 7:1 (KJV) issues the famous command,

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

That, alone, should provide plenty of motivation to show love toward others. But keeping with this theme, let's turn to another motivation, provided in Hebrews 13:2 (NLT),

Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

Oh, how easy it is to forget those words during our daily interactions with others! But let us reflect upon those passages throughout the day, and use them as motivation, and guidance, in our actions toward others.