Title: The Tragic end of Shimei
The name Shimei means ‘One who is heard by the Lord’. Unfortunately, if we look at the life of Shimei, there is no mention that when he prayed, God heard him. Shimei should have live up to his name by relying on God and praying to God but unfortunately he lived his life as an opportunist instead.
In 2 Samuel 16:5-7, we can see that when King David was pursued by Absalom, Shimei was seen cursing and chasing King David out by stoning and shouting at him. However, when Shimei heard King David was returning to his palace, Shimei was so afraid that he would be killed by King David, so he took 1000 men from Benjamite and came to David and said “Oh David, only you are king”. (2 Samuel 19:19-23) Instead of killing Shimei, King David forgave him. Truly, Shimei was such an opportunist who always leaning to whichever side that seems more favorable to him. However, in the end, King Solomon commanded Benaiah, he went out and struck Shimei to death.
Why Shimei had to face such a tragic end?
- Shimei condemned other people’s sin not knowing that it would cause his own life
- When King David was about to die, he made his last will to Solomon to kill Shimei
Although King David let Shimei lived before, he knew that Shimei will betray him sooner or later. So when Solomon became the king, he foresees that Shimei would bring trouble to Solomon and hence forewarned Solomon that Shimei must be removed (1 Kings 2:9).
- Solomon limited Shimei’s dwelling place
Solomon confined Shimei in Jerusalem and commanded him “Do not ever leave Jerusalem” (1 Kings 2:36).
In 1 Kings 2:39, it showed that Shimei lived in Jerusalem for years and he broke his promise. 2 of his servants ran away, fled to Gath without telling Shimei. Shimei wanted to find these 2 servants so he left Jerusalem and went all the way up to Gath which was 38km away.
Shimei was very precise when it comes to condemning other people’s sins but he did not know while he was condemning other people’s sins, he was also committing the same sin. He promised Solomon not to leave Jerusalem but because he was filled with desire to find his 2 servants to punish them, he completely forgot about the promise he made with Solomon.
- He broke his promise with Solomon
- It was to find his servants who ran away from him
Shimei was very swift in bringing back his 2 servants from Gath but he totally forgotten his own promise with Solomon. Deuteronomy 27:16 says that anyone who mistreated his father or mother will be cursed. King Solomon is a father figure to Shimei because he is a King, he is a King who protects Shimei. So, if he just obey Solomon’s word, then Shimei will never have to die.
- King Solomon foreshadows Jesus who is the King of Peace
The name Solomon means ‘Peace’, so the name Solomon foreshadows Jesus who is the ‘King of Peace’.
Isaiah 9:6 prophesies about Jesus Christ. Just as Shimei disobeyed the command of King Solomon, he was killed in the end, and so if we disobeyed the command of Jesus, the King of Peace, then we also cannot avoid death.
- Why did Shimei disregarded the Word of the King?
He was filled with greed to recover his 2 servants. Greed makes us forget the Word of God. Greed with makes us disobey the Word of God. Mark 4:19 says when greed became so big, it can block the growing of the Word of God in us, and we become unfruitful.
- Because he obeyed the Word only partially
- King Solomon gave 2 commands to Shimei
1 Kings 2:36, King Solomon told him not to leave Jerusalem
1 Kings 2:37, King Solomon said not to cross Brood Kidron
- Shimei obeyed the command not to cross Brood Kidron
In order to reach Gath from Jerusalem, he doesn’t have to cross Brood Kidron as he only has to go through the valley of Hinnom. Hence, Shimei thought it’s fine as long he doesn’t cross Brood Kidron but he disobeyed the instruction not to leave Jerusalem.
At times when we break the Word of God, we try to justify ourselves thinking that we can do partial obedience in listening to Word of God. However, God’s Word is always absolute obedience. Absolute obedience to God is very difficult but if we are determined and are willing to give our absolute obedience to the Word of God, and pray to God, then God will help and bless us, and enable us to obey (Romans 8:3).
In conclusion, we must never leave Jerusalem.
Solomon commanded not to leave Jerusalem because remaining in Jerusalem is the way to life and happiness and the way to protection. When Shimei lived in Jerusalem, he lives, but the moment he left Jerusalem, he died. Jerusalem in Hebrews is City of Peace. God commanded us not to leave the city of peace, and TLCC today is the city of peace. Therefore, we should never leave this city of peace because that is the way to life, it’s the way to protection and way to happiness
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 