SATURDAY 11 June, 2016
Cursing the King
Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. - 2 Samuel 16:5-6
David traveled to Bahurim, a village east of Jerusalem, about four miles from the Mount of Olives. Shimei, another descendant of Saul, had already been infected and brainwashed by Absalom. No doubt he would obviously join Absalom’s revolt. When he saw David, he responded in anger; he hated the sight of him. His anger was so furious it brought him to the point where he cursed continuously and casted stones, not just at David, but all his servants as well!
In Exodus 22:28 the people of Israel were strictly instructed by the Lord: You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. David’s son Solomon would write in Ecclesiastes 10:20: Do not curse the king, even in your thought… Why? Kings and rulers have been placed in their position by God (Daniel 2:21). When Saul disobeyed God and came against David to kill him, David never raised his hand against him. He feared God and would not touch the Lord’s anointed (1 Samuel 24:4-7).
In the fear of God, Christians should take notice of the words that come out of their mouths. Ephesians 4:29 instructs us: Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Ask yourself, “Do I still have a problem with anger and cursing at others?”
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
~James 3:10~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!