Revenge or Forgive?

2 Samuel 19 David's army has just defeated his sons army who took his kingdom away and sought his fathers life. David mourned his son's death and then begins returning to his kingdom when someone who caused David a lot of shame returns, Shimei.

2 Samuel 16 When David was ran out of his kingdom, Shimei a decedent of Saul cursed David, threw stones at him and kicked dirt at him. But David being of good character spared his life when he could have easily ordered him to be killed.

Back to chapter 19 David's kingdom has been restored and now he is the most powerful person in Israel when Shimei runs to him in verse 18 and then says

2 Samuel 19:19 "Do not let my lord impute iniquity to me, or remember what wrong your servant did on the day that my lord the king left Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart." 20 "For I your servant, know that I have sinned."

After this one of Davids servants asked should he not be put to death? and in verse 22 -23 David told Shimei what have I to do with you and said shall any man be put to death in Israel? He then swore to him in verse 23 that he shall not die.

In this situation I'm sure David was thinking "my, how the tables have turned." and it would have been an easy decision to kill this man or even throw him in prison for life or enslave him. But David simply said why should you be my adversary today? And promised not to kill him.

Even though Shimei didn't deserve to be forgiven, when does anyone deserve forgiveness? There are sometimes very hurtful things that can be done to us and people who could care less about you and even seek to hurt you on purpose. But the very fact is we ourselves did not deserve forgiveness when Jesus died on the cross for our sins but we can receive by the covering of his blood if we repent and ask for forgiveness.

If you are ever faced with a situation like David where you can take revenge in your own hands remeber the words of Jesus, the ultimate forgiver;

Mark 11:25-26 "And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."