QT 4/14/2023 2 Sam 19:19-27, The dangers of sin

2 Samuel 19:19–27 (ESV) —

19 and (Shimei) said to the king, “Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned. Therefore, behold, I have come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” 21 Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lord’s anointed?” 22 But David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” 23 And the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king gave him his oath.

24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king. He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. 25 And when he came to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why did you not go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 He answered, “My lord, O king, my servant deceived me, for your servant said to him, ‘I will saddle a donkey for myself, that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ For your servant is lame. 27 He has slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the angel of God; do therefore what seems good to you.

 

NOTE: There are opportunists and liars and schmoozers in life. There always has been and always will be. Who can tell the truth? In one sense, does it really matter, since God will judge all men someday? But our sense of justice is aroused when we perceive someone getting away with a lie. We are like Abishai, demanding that our judgment be executed against those that lie. Even in celebration, Abishai found things to complain and be negative about. David, instead, chose to focus on the positive things. Once again, David was King of Israel. Liars will pay the price some day for their sin. God is not fooled. You can fool people, but you are only fooling yourself when you live in a lie. And all lies are sin, and the wages of sin is death. We die to real life every time we sin -- every time we lie, and every time we complain.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I realize the life-killing power of my sin? Do I take sin seriously?

 

PRAYER: Father, protect me from the evil one and his schemes. Help me to see danger ahead of time. Keep me from his traps. Lead me in the way you have planned for me.