Repentance Doesn’t Shine And Glitter

True repentance does not boast in how repentant it is, but is marked by tears.   #daybydaylw   To learn what it means to follow Jesus in your life, go to follow.lifeword.org.   ~~~   Now our text for study takes on an interesting shape. This section that we are studying parallels or mirrors a previous section of scripture back in 2 Samuel 15, when the men of Israel decide to side with Absalom and David is told that the “hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom.” After that statement we see that as David is leaving Jerusalem, he encountered Ittai, Ziba, and Shimei. Ittai professed absolute loyalty to David; Ziba brought nourishment to David but brought some bad news concerning Mephibosheth, and Shimei tried to stone David. In our text for today, it tells us that David was able to sway the heart of Judah as one man, and on his way back into Jerusalem he has encounters with Shimei, Mephibosheth, and Barzillai. So in 15 we see a snapshot of the what is going on in the kingdom, and then three encounters with different people that reveal motivations and allegiances. In chapter 19, we have a snapshot at the beginning and end of the passage of what is going on in the kingdom, and then three encounters with different people, that reveal motivations and allegiances. Shimei the Stoner turned Schmoozer Read text: 19:16-23 When Shimei gets word that David is being brought back as the king, he realizes that his life could be on the line for what he had attempted to do earlier. You remember that? He cursed David, called him worthless, and accused David of acts he did not commit. And now Shimei is thinking, “How can I save my own skin? King David may have me executed!” So Shimei makes a show. He runs out of house, gathers up as many men as he can (1,000 of them), and takes off towards the Jordan. Shimei splashes into the water and finally gets through all of David’s family and men, and falls down in front of the King, soaking wet, and makes his case. “Please forgive me. Please pardon me. I know I was wrong to do all that I did. Please don’t take it to heart! Please don’t hold a grudge against me!” Abishai certainly thinks that Shimei is deserving of death, and perhaps he is. But David acts shrewdly at this point. He doesn’t want this day to be marked by spite or revenge. He doesn’t want another battle, because remember, Shimei had brought 1,000 men with him that day. So David gives Shimei an oath of peace—“You shall not die.” Was Shimei sincere at this point? Does Shimei really honor David as the King? Is Shimei truly repentant over what he did to David and said to David, or has Shimei just been caught in the shifting tides. Previously Shimei took advantage of an opportune time to kick at David at one of his lowest moments. But now David is re-established as King. What puts me over the edge about Shimei is this one statement—“Behold, I have come this day, the first of all the house of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.” Shimei is saying, “Look at how much better my repentance is than any other!” This is not repentance at all. This is political expediency. He knows the winds have blown to fill David’s sails now, and he doesn’t want to be blown away himself. He wants to catch a ride. True repentance is never marked by you commenting on how good your repentance is, how much better it is than other people’s repentance. Devotion to the king is not marked by that. Loyalty to the God of grace does not pray, “Thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterous, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all I get!” Repentance doesn’t boast! Repentance doesn’t shine and glitter. Repentance is dust and ashes! It is grief and weeping and hatred of your sin.