Thursday, March 11, 2010

Throwing Stones

Absalom attempted to have his father killed and to take over his kingdom. His father, King David, had to flee the city and hide out in caves like he did when the previous King, Saul, sought to murder him. But this time it was his son who wanted him dead.

A man named Shimei, from David’s tribe, came out and threw rocks at David, cursing and spiting at him. The men with the king wanted to kill the man on the spot. But David was not sure that God might actually be giving the kingdom over to Absalom. So David responded, “"Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, "Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day." So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed, and cast stones and threw dust at him. 14 And the king and all the people who were with him arrived weary…” (2 Samuel 16:11-14).

David could have hand him killed but he showed mercy. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” (Mathew 5:7). We receive mercy when God does not punish us as we deserve to be punished. Should not we also show mercy to those who do not deserve it.