Tag: Shimei

“Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed…

At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!” (2 Samuel 16:7-8, NLT)

It struck me today that those words probably stung David deeply. Obviously, he wasn’t responsible for Saul’s death or for Ish-bosheth’s. Nor had he stolen the throne.

But he was a murderer. And Nathan had told him that disaster would rise up from his own family as a result (2 Samuel 12:11).

So while Shimei’s accusations were not completely true, there was truth in them.

Perhaps that is why David said, “He curses me this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David!’” (10)

But while David was reaping the consequences of his sin, God was not accusing him. God had already forgiven him (2 Samuel 12:12).

More, he was on David’s side (2 Samuel 17:14).

Sometimes here on earth, we suffer the consequences for our sins. And Satan’s accusations against us sting, because there is truth behind them.

But if we have repented, let us remember, God is not accusing us. He has already forgiven us. And he is on our side.

So if you’re feeling weighed down by your guilt, remember Paul’s words:  

Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? [Not God!] God is the one who justifies.

Who is the one who condemns? [Not Jesus!] Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. (Romans 8:33-34)