God Speaks
King David Processes Grief, Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Repentance
Verse of the Day:
Verse of the Day: [Shimei offers us a model of how to ask the LORD God’s forgiveness.] when Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordon, he fell prostrate before the king and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. Ffor I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.” (2 Samuel 19:18-20 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 2 Samuel 19-21:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
2 Samuel 19
1. The LORD God forgives and restores those who repent of their sinfulness and turn to Him as David did with Shimei and Mephibosheth.
2. People should consider the effects of their emotions on others as Joab counselled David. They should also honor the elderly as David did Barzillai.
2 Samuel 20
1. God takes notice of our actions that contradict His commands and will deal with them in His way and in His time.
2. People in positions in authority, like Joab, often think that they can get by with doing terrible things, like murdering Amasa.
2 Samuel 21
1. God is willing to give us His solution to our problems if we will humbly ask Him as David did.
2. People can defeat the “giants” in their lives if they will turn to God for His assistance.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 2 Samuel 19-21?
Dear Father God, thank You that Jesus is the Wonderful Counsellor who has experienced grief and knows just what to say or not say to one who is grieving like David at Absalom’s death. You are not harsh like Joab, even if David really did need to understand the effect his grieving was having on his troops and supporters. Please help me to urge my relatives and close friends to do what is right, especially to turn to Christ Jesus for salvation. May I be as gracious and forgiving as King David was with Shimei, as loyal to his friend (Jonathan) as David was with Mephibosheth, and as honoring to the elderly as the king was to Barzillai. Help me to hear people out and treat them fairly. Show me how to deal with troublemakers like Sheba. Don’t let me be ruthless, underhanded, and cruel like Joab with Amasa. Protect Your people from such evil, gracious LORD. May leaders (especially in government) be as courageous and wise as the woman from Abel-beth-maacah, saving her townspeople from destruction. Please arrange for capable, wise, and Godfearing people to serve in every level of public office. Then we will all bring glory to Your name, O LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 2 Samuel 19-21? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will show someone how to repent and receive God’s forgiveness through Christ Jesus, this week.
- I will, in love, gently but firmly hold someone I know accountable for their actions.
- I will honor the elderly by visiting a nursing home this month.
- I will pray for people in positions of leadership to be wise, capable, courageous, and Godfearing.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.