2 Samuel 19:21-25: a reflection

21But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’s anointed?” 22David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should be adversaries to me today? Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For don’t I know that I am king over Israel today?” 23The king said to Shimei, “You will not die.” The king swore to him. 24Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king; and he had neither groomed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came home in peace. 25When he had come to Jerusalem to meet the king, the king said to him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?”

David has just been restored to his throne after Absalom's rebellion, and Shimei, the man who had cursed and stoned him when he fled in disgrace, comes cringing for mercy. Abishai wants blood: Shouldn't Shimei be put to death for cursing the LORD's anointed? David has the power now, and the grievance is real. But David refuses: Shall anyone be put to death in Israel today? And to Shimei he swears, You shall not die. On the day of his triumph, with full power to punish, David chooses mercy.

Notice the restraint. This was David's hour of vindication; he could have repaid every insult, settled every score, and no one would have blamed him. Abishai was urging exactly that. But David would not let his day of victory become a day of vengeance. He held his power in check and extended mercy to the very man who had kicked him when he was down.

There is a searching example here for the moments when we have the upper hand over someone who wronged us. The temptation, when we finally have the power to retaliate, is to use it, to settle the score now that we can. David shows a better way: magnanimity in the moment of triumph, mercy when vengeance is within reach. When you have power over someone who has wronged you, remember David and Shimei. Do not let your day of strength become a day of vengeance. Show mercy when you could retaliate, and let your victory be marked by restraint rather than revenge.

Lord, on the day of his triumph, with full power to punish the man who had cursed him, David chose mercy. When I have the upper hand over someone who wronged me, keep me from using my power to settle the score. Give me David's restraint and magnanimity, to show mercy when vengeance is within reach, and to let my moments of strength be marked by grace rather than revenge.