Biblical Advice on Forgiveness from David (2 Samuel 16:9-13)

The way David responds to Shimei provides wonderful biblical advice on forgiveness. The account reveals what David said to his men that allowed him to respond so patiently to a man who was mistreating him unjustly. Was David always this patient? Not in the account with Nabal! What took place in David’s life that caused him to respond to Shimei so much differently than he responded to Nabal? Table of contentsFamily Worship Guide for Biblical Advice on Forgiveness from DavidSermon Notes for Biblical Advice on Forgiveness from DavidLesson One: We can forgive others easier by thinking about (part one) God’s sovereignty.Lesson One: We can forgive others easier by thinking about (part two) God’s goodness to us in return.Lesson One: We can forgive others easier by thinking about (part three) our sins.Lesson Two: Christ’s forgiveness is greater than David’s. https://youtu.be/bCo03fiVfb8 The way David responds to Shimei provides wonderful biblical advice on forgiveness. The account reveals what David said to his men. Family Worship Guide for Biblical Advice on Forgiveness from David Directions: Read the following verses and then answer the questions: Day 1: Psalm 10:14, 39:8, 2 Samuel 16:10-12, Job 2:9, Luke 6:22, Hebrews 10:34—Why did David twice say that God told Shimei to curse? Why do you think this encouraged David? How can thinking about God’s sovereignty make forgiveness easier? Why did David think God would repay him? How can God’s goodness when we are mistreated make forgiveness easier for us? Day 2: 1 Samuel 25:8-12, Luke 7:47—Can you think of individuals in Scripture, besides David, who were kind to those who mistreated them? Did God seem to reward them? Why do you think David treated Shimei differently than he treated Nabal? How does thinking about our sins make forgiveness easier? Day 3: 2 Samuel 19:16-23 cf. 1 Kings 2:8-9, Hebrews 6:17—Why did Shimei hurry to meet David and 2 Samuel 19? How did David respond to Shimei? Why do you think David went back on his forgiveness before passing the throne to Solomon? In what ways is Jesus’s forgiveness greater than David’s? Sermon Notes for Biblical Advice on Forgiveness from David The title of this morning’s sermon is, “Biblical Advice on Forgiveness from David.” On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse. We finished a convicting passage on forgiveness. I told you that I wanted to look at an example of forgiveness in the Old Testament, and I chose this account with David and Shimei. This is our second message on this passage. Last week we talked about Shimei, why he hated David, and what we could learn from him about the dangers of being accusing. This morning we’re going to focus on David who we will see forgive Shimei. David is famously known as the Man after God’s own heart. Perhaps you have wondered why he would be given this title when he committed such terrible sins as adultery and murder. At least part of the reason must be his forgiving heart…which makes him look like a man after God’s own heart because of how forgiving God is. The greatest example of David’s forgiveness occurred with Saul. When you can forgive a man who spent years trying to murder you, you know that you’re good at forgiving. But I wanted to look at this example with Shimei, for two reasons… First, I think we can relate to it better. I hope none of you have ever had someone try to murder you for years, but I suspect all of us have had people curse us and throw rocks at us…at least figuratively. Second, slander is one of the more difficult sins to forgive, at least for me, because slander involves untrue accusations. Just in case any of you are unfamiliar with the differences between gossip and slander, let me briefly explain them: Gossip is sharing negative information about people with others who have no business knowing that information. But at least the information is true. Slander is spreading lies about people. If you have been in Sunday school recently when Pastor Nathan taught through 1 Corinthians 5, verse 11 says not to keep company with, or not to associate with revilers or some translations say slanderers. Let me briefly review… There were many low points in David’s life, but I’m convinced this was one of the lowest: David has lost the throne. Making it worse the man who stole it was his wicked son, Absalom. Making it worse, much of the nation that David loved and served turned against him and joined Absalom, including the elders of the land. Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse, Shimei finds David and his men while they are fleeing Jerusalem. He throws rocks at them and curses them. Shimei never would’ve thought of acting like this when David was king, but now that David is in this vulnerable position Shimei is thrilled. This is like a dream come true moment for such a bitter man. Look what he says in verse eight… 2 Samuel 16:8 The Lord has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.” Shimei is rejoicing at David’s calamity, which Scripture strongly forbids: Proverbs 17:5 He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. Proverbs 24:17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, 18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. Obadiah was the prophet to the Edomites, and they were largely judged for rejoicing over Israel’s suffering. Listen to a few of the verses… Obadiah 1:12 Do not gloat over the…day of [Israel’s] misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin…13 Do not gloat over his disaster in the day of his calamity. We should never celebrate other people’s misfortune, even if they are enemies or we think they deserve it, because it displeases God. Look at verse 9… 2 Samuel 16:9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.” Last week I told you it was a bad idea to throw rocks at David’s mighty men…especially Abishai. It seems like half the time he opened his mouth he wanted to kill someone. He’s the same man who told David to execute Saul when they snuck into Saul’s camp in the middle of the night. But here’s the thing… According to the Mosaic law, Shimei’s actions were punishable by death. Exodus 22:28 “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. Additionally, like we talked about last week, Shimei was Saul’s relative, and in the ancient world anyone related to the previous king was a threat to the throne. This is why it was common to execute all the relatives of the previous king when a new dynasty was established. But look how David responds… 2 Samuel 16:10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” David addresses Abishai and his brother, Joab, implying Joab was probably expressing the same thoughts. 2 Samuel 16:11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. Now David moves to addressing everyone instead of just Abishai and Joab. David’s point is if his own son wants to kill him, how much more would someone related to Saul hate him? 2 Samuel 16:12 It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.” 13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust. Shimei didn’t just come out and do this and leave. He followed them. Yet there’s no record of David responding. Proverbs 20:22 came to mind… Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. This verse is quoted multiple times in the New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil. 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling. Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” So David responded very patiently and graciously to Shimei. The question is, how was he able to do so? There are a few reasons given in the text and I would like to draw attention to them, because they can help us do the same. Notice that twice David attributed Shimei’s cursing to God Himself… 2 Samuel 16:10 But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because THE LORD HAS SAID TO HIM, ‘CURSE DAVID,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” 11 And David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and LET HIM CURSE, FOR THE LORD HAS TOLD HIM TO. This brings us to lesson one… Lesson One: We can forgive others easier by thinking about (part one) God’s sovereignty. Listen to this verse David wrote in the psalms that also tells us why he didn’t respond to Shimei… Psalm 39:8 Do not make me the scorn of the fool (Shimei is definitely a fool)! 9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for IT IS YOU WHO HAVE DONE IT. David said God is behind a fool’s scorning, and that allowed him to remain silent. Let me ask you this… Was God behind Shimei’s cursing? You want to say no,