Eating Humble Pie

Reflections on 2 Samuel 19:16-23
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When David fled Jerusalem, Shimei had cursed him and pelted him with stones. Shimei assumed that David had lost the throne and would never return. Now David was returning again as king. Shimei had two choices. One was to hide from the king, but that would have been nearly impossible because he lived so near Jerusalem. The second was to try to make amends.

SERVICE. When the men of Judah went to bring King David back across the Jordan, Shimei and a thousand other Benjamites went with them. When they got to the Jordan, Shimei and his men did not hesitate. They rushed across the Jordan to bring the king's household back across the river and do whatever else the king wished. Shimei tried to make amends by providing useful services to the king.

SUPPLICATION. While the men with Shimei were helping the king's household across the Jordan River, Shimei found the king, he fell prostrate before him, acknowledged his guilt, and begged forgiveness. He made no excuses. He ate humble pie.

SUPPORT. Finally, Shimei noted that that very day he had been the first of the "whole house of Joseph" (i.e. the northern tribes) to meet the king, to welcome him back, and to give him their support. Certainly, he hoped that his zeal in gathering support for David would help make amends.

Shimei had a good recipe for humble pie. Even though Abishai tried to dissuade the king, David promised on oath that Shimei would not die.