CURSED BY MAN FOR PRIOR SINS

PROCLAMATION

“As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there.  His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out.  He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left.  As he cursed, Shimei said, ‘Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel!’  The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned.  The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom.  You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!’”  2 Samuel 16:5-8 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

Because his son Absalom had become popular with the people, and had amassed himself a large army, and had declared himself to be king, David and his loyal followers and his family fled Jerusalem.  He went up to the top of the Mount of Olives. (2 Samuel 15:30)  On the other side of the summit he approached the town of Bahurim.  It was here that the man from Saul’s clan came out, cursed him, and threw rocks at him.  One of Davis’s men wanted to kill him for cursing the king, but David stopped him. (2 Samuel 16:9-11)  Even though he had not killed Saul, or his sons, or any members of his household as Shimei accused him of doing, he was a murderer.  David considered Shimei’s cursing to be part of God’s punishment for his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah and he humbly  accepted it.

APPLICATION

As believers in Jesus, The Christ, we do not lose our salvation because we sinned after being saved.  We may lose the joy of our salvation and The Lord God may permit us to suffer as part of our punishment for our sins.  Some of the troubles that we endure and the storms of life that we go through may be things that we brought upon ourselves.  It is also possible that some of the individuals who do wrong unto us may just be part of God’s permissive will as part of our punishment.  “For whom The Lord loveth He chastened …” (Hebrews 12:6)  The Lord God forgives us of our sin once we confess and repent.  However, the devil continues to bring our past sins to our remembrance in order to make us feel unworthy and to interfere with our relationship with The Lord.