Shimei, the son of Gera had cursed David when he was on the run from Absalom (2 Samuel 16) and this is not allowed by the law of God (Exodus 22:28). On David’s reinstatement as king, he did not mete out deserved punishment upon Shimei. But as the time drew near for David to die, he passed the task of Joab’s and Shimei’s judgment’s to his successor, Solomon. Both of them were granted mercy on the condition that they sinned no more: unfortunately for them, they both sinned again. Joab with treason; Shimei with a breach of the king’s command.
1 Kings 2:5-6, 8-9 Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me – what he did to Abner son of Ner, and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace…. And behold, you have with you Shimei the son of Gera the Benjaminite, of Bahurim; now it was he who cursed me with a painful curse on the day I went to Mahanaim. But when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord, saying, ‘I will not put you to death with the sword.’ But now do not leave him unpunished, for you are a wise man; and you will know what to do to him, and you will bring his gray hair down to Sheol with blood.”
1 Kings 2:29 It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!”
Just like David, many government leaders constantly have to make very difficult decisions. How could David repay Joab and his brother Abishai, (both had so often assisted him), by killing Joab? What would you do if you were in David’s shoes?
These are some of the terrible constraints that even the most upright government leaders face. And why God asks you to pray for them.
Have you considered that God has not gotten rid of all evil people yet? Why?
READ ALSO: SPIRITUAL WARFARE
The Longsuffering Attribute of God
God endures wrongdoing until the time He appoints for judgement. Consider, in addition to the two above, the case of Saul and the Gibeonites. Israel entered a peace covenant with the Gibeonites in the time of Joshua. Israel made an oath to protect them, and not let any harm come to them (Joshua 9:3-27).
However, during Saul’s reign, he killed the Gibeonites. Since the oath was made in God’s name, the nation underwent famine for breaking the covenant. Consequences did not manifest in Israel immediately after Saul’s sin against them. Rather it was during David’s reign, years later.
2 Samuel 21:1 During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.”
And David had to administer justice by yielding to the demands of the Gibeonites (the avenger of blood) and handing over 7 sons of Saul to be killed.
2 Samuel 21: 3, 5-6, 9 David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance”? They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel. Let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul-the Lord’s chosen one.” So the king said, “I will give them to you”. He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.
READ ALSO: THE RETURN OF JESUS
Conclusion
Having seen these patterns, do you think that citizens sometimes expect way too much from a government leader? Can one leader go after all the bad people during their tenure? Should God come after you immediately for all your wrongs or should He give you time to possibly repent? (Jeremiah 18:7-8) Should He extend to government leaders and their followers this same grace or should we be judged with the same measure we judge others?
Let’s think together.
READ ALSO: WHAT ARE GOVERNMENTS FOR? (PART 1)