Topic: ‘THE WEAKNESS OF AN OATH’
Text: 1 Kings 2:36-46
2:36 Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there anywhere.
2:37 For it shall be, on the day you go out and cross the Brook Kidron, know for certain you shall surely die; your [a]blood shall be on your own head.”
2:38 And Shimei said to the king, “The saying is good. As my lord the king has said, so your servant will do.” So Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.
2:39 Now it happened at the end of three years, that two slaves of Shimei ran away to Achish the son of Maachah, king of Gath. And they told Shimei, saying, “Look, your slaves are in Gath!”
2:40 So Shimei arose, saddled his donkey, and went to Achish at Gath to seek his slaves. And Shimei went and brought his slaves from Gath.
2:41 And Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had come back.
2:42 Then the king sent and called for Shimei, and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by the Lord, and warn you, saying, ‘Know for certain that on the day you go out and travel anywhere, you shall surely die’? And you said to me, ‘The word I have heard is good.
2:43 Why then have you not kept the oath of the Lord and the commandment that I gave you?”
2:44 The king said moreover to Shimei, “You know, as your heart acknowledges, all the wickedness that you did to my father David; therefore the Lord will return your wickedness on your own head.
2:45 But King Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever.”
2:46 So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he went out and struck him down, and he died. Thus the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
STUDY:
An oath typically signifies a promise or commitment made in earnest – a bond meant to ensure honesty toward others or God. When Solomon became king, he gave a directive to Shimei – ‘Stay in Jerusalem or face death’ – a command that allowed Shimei to redeem himself while keeping him under watch. Shimei was initially a supporter of King Saul but turned against David during his flight from Absalom (2 Kings 16:5-14). Shimei’s decision to pursue his fleeing servants shows how easily one can succumb to personal desire over loyalty, and how individuals fail under pressure.
The concern here is how that Shimei did not remember the consequence of his action, which was a death penalty. The reason for this may be natural or divine; however, we have lessons to learn. First, we need to know that while we may have resolutions or plans, we do not have the power to execute them (Prov. 16:9; 19:21). The power belongs to God. Second, we always need to meditate before we act. We should learn to hold back ourselves and wait on the Lord so that we do not react without thinking. We must be slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19-20). Finally, it may appear that Shimei was divinely set up to die, as a result of past deeds. Let us know that the arm of justice is long enough to catch up with every evildoer, regardless of the time.
Prayer:
Lord, show me mercy and give me power to keep the promises I make in your name.
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