Wisdom

1 Kings 2:36

Then the king sent for Shimei and said to him, “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. 37 The day you leave and cross the Kidron Valley, you can be sure you will die; your blood will be on your own head.”

Solomon was always known as a man of wisdom. In the text above, King Solomon has given specific instructions to Shimei, (the man who cursed his father, King David in 2 Samuel 16:5-13). Initially in 2 Samuel Shimei should have been dead, however David didn’t see fit to lay hands on him, declaring in verse 12 of 2 Samuel chapter 16, “Perhaps the Lord will look on my affliction and [c]return good to me instead of his cursing this day.” 13 So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed and cast stones and threw dust at him.”

However the deed of Shimei wasn’t forgotten because on David’s death bed he mentioned it to Solomon who summoned for Shimei in 1 Kings 2:36. Here, Solomon could have killed him upfront. But instead he gives him a command to build a house in Jerusalem and leave not the city or he would die. So he stayed there for 3 years without leaving but in verse v. 40, Shimei is spotted leaving Jerusalem to look for his servants who ran away to Gath.

What instructions has the Lord given you? What command has he clearly declared over your life?

It’s very important as a child of God that we write instructions down and right them on the inside of our hearts as well.

When God gives a instruction, its not to be taken lightly or put in a box for a rainy day. God has a purpose for every word spoken from his mouth. Disobedience keeps a lot of people from receiving their promises, for the bible declares, obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22).

Hebrews 4:6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience.

Disobedience is a factor that hinders a lot of people from receiving their promises, because there is a lack of faith (they simply don’t believe). When faith is not present, there cannot be obedience. Perhaps in the above text with Shimei, he could have went before King Solomon to declare that his servants ran away and possibly he could have been granted the clearance to enter Gath. However that was not the case, due to lack of wisdom, and disobedience he took life into his own hands. Like many of us do today. Some of us feel, that since we are connected to the situation, we will be quicker at resolving the situation rather than waiting on God. But one thing we fail to realize is that God ways aren’t like ours (Isaiah 55:8), when God acts it’s a timely move, which no man or no demonic power can undue.

I encourage you today to seek God. Like Solomon, we all should be asking God for wisdom daily to guide us. As he reveals himself to us with his divine wisdom, we need to incorporate faith and obedience.

Be blessed