The Kindness Of A King

I want to share a story about kindness and forgiveness from 2 Samuel 19:18b-23. King David had fled from Jerusalem when his son Absalom had forced him out. As he was leaving Jerusalem, Shimei, from the clan of Saul, began throwing rocks at him and cursing him because he saw King David as a man of blood (2 Samuel 16:5-14). David's immediate response was to just leave him alone and he said, "Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today." After Ablsalom was killed, King David returned to Jerusalem. On the way there he met up with Shimei once again. Only this time, David could have had Shimei killed for his disrespect toward David. David's response was one of forgiveness toward Shimei. On two occasions, David could have ended the life of this man but instead he was kind, promising him an oath that he would not die.

This story reminds me of God's redeeming love and grace toward us when we don't really deserve to be forgiven. He sent Jesus, who is the King of Kings so that we could receive forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life with Him in Heaven! And He also promised that He would come again and claim us as His own.

It also challenges me to be kind and forgiving in my interactions with those He leads across my path each day. What would it be like if we all modeled ourselves after Jesus and reached out in compassion and forgiveness to others? I encourage you to read about King David's kindness to Shimei even though he was treated unkindly by him.

May we continue to strive to extend these gifts to others God directs our way!