By Priscilla
Psalm 7 (NIV)
What’s more in Ps 7:16, David quite simply states that that those who seek to dig a pit of trouble for others, end up falling in it themselves. The Bible is replete with examples of that: Haman and his gallows (Esther 7:10), or King Saul choosing to fall on his own sword (1 Sam 31:3-6). God promises us in Galatians 6:7-9, what you sow, you will most certainly reap.
Let’s ask God today for immense grace when responding to those who seek to accuse us falsely at work or those who make our lives miserable with their loose talk. May we not give up and be weary of doing good. Let’s have a response that reflects the heart of Jesus.
Psalm 7 (NIV)
King David has had a long day. He has just spent hours on the road, running from his hot-headed son Absalom who is out to kill him having usurped his throne. Hot, dusty, weary and hungry David and his men arrive at the house of Shimei, a supposed friend.
But instead of being greeted with a cuppa and a fat slice of cake, Shimei comes out of his house and starts cursing David, using choice words in his name- calling tirade and falsely accusing him. David and his men are a bit bewildered at this onslaught.
With a little background digging, we find that Shimei used to be a close friend and a relative of King Saul (same clan). He was probably in and out of the king’s courts during Saul’s tenure. But after his death Shimei finds himself out of favour with power and not able to wield the influence he had. In other words his gravy train had reached its final stop. Not finding anyone else to blame, Shimei vents his anger and blames David at this perceived injustice done to him.
Psalm 7 is David’s song to God in relation to the events described above from 2 Samuel 16.
Let the LORD judge the peoples. Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.
Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure (vs 8, 9)
Being at the receiving end of slander can be very discouraging. We’ve probably all been there in varying degrees at one point of time or the other. Recovering from accusations, false as they may be, is tough. It’s their word against ours.
David’s response to Shimei is impressive:
i) He forbids one of his men from killing Shimei, (2 Sam 16:9, 11)
ii) He turns around and leaves the slanderer to stamp and kick up his own-mini dust storm (2 Sam 16:9)
iii) He then takes his plea for vindication to God. (Ps 7:8)
Wow! What a mature response! If that were to happen to me, I am pretty sure my default response would be fume and kick up my own competing dust-storm.
But instead of being greeted with a cuppa and a fat slice of cake, Shimei comes out of his house and starts cursing David, using choice words in his name- calling tirade and falsely accusing him. David and his men are a bit bewildered at this onslaught.
With a little background digging, we find that Shimei used to be a close friend and a relative of King Saul (same clan). He was probably in and out of the king’s courts during Saul’s tenure. But after his death Shimei finds himself out of favour with power and not able to wield the influence he had. In other words his gravy train had reached its final stop. Not finding anyone else to blame, Shimei vents his anger and blames David at this perceived injustice done to him.
Psalm 7 is David’s song to God in relation to the events described above from 2 Samuel 16.
Let the LORD judge the peoples. Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.
Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure (vs 8, 9)
Being at the receiving end of slander can be very discouraging. We’ve probably all been there in varying degrees at one point of time or the other. Recovering from accusations, false as they may be, is tough. It’s their word against ours.
David’s response to Shimei is impressive:
i) He forbids one of his men from killing Shimei, (2 Sam 16:9, 11)
ii) He turns around and leaves the slanderer to stamp and kick up his own-mini dust storm (2 Sam 16:9)
iii) He then takes his plea for vindication to God. (Ps 7:8)
Wow! What a mature response! If that were to happen to me, I am pretty sure my default response would be fume and kick up my own competing dust-storm.
What’s more in Ps 7:16, David quite simply states that that those who seek to dig a pit of trouble for others, end up falling in it themselves. The Bible is replete with examples of that: Haman and his gallows (Esther 7:10), or King Saul choosing to fall on his own sword (1 Sam 31:3-6). God promises us in Galatians 6:7-9, what you sow, you will most certainly reap.
Let’s ask God today for immense grace when responding to those who seek to accuse us falsely at work or those who make our lives miserable with their loose talk. May we not give up and be weary of doing good. Let’s have a response that reflects the heart of Jesus.
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