First Kings
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Commitment Is the Issue
(I Kings 2:35-46)
People break agreements far too easily in our day. Many rationalize their breaches of confidence by assessing the importance of the agreement. If the agreement is seemingly insignificant, they feel no compulsion to keep their word. If, for example, they have made lunch plans but later get a “better offer,” they will without conscience call to cancel the first appointment. One justification leads to another, and those who lightly esteem their own word find themselves breaking it more frequently. Little agreements broken always lead to the negotiability of larger agreements. Eventually, no commitment—not even the vows of marriage—is inviolable.
Shimei had spent much of his life skating on thin ice. Faithful readers will recall the “episode” in which he cursed David as the king fled Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion. When David was finally restored, Shimei made an uneasy peace with the offended monarch. David, however, never fully trusted him again; and he advised Solomon to dispatch him to eternity as soon as possible.
In his wisdom, Solomon knew he couldn’t just execute Shimei outright. He also knew he couldn’t trust Shimei to do the right thing. So, Solomon made a gentleman’s agreement with Shimei. The terms were simple: Shimei was to build a house in Jerusalem, live there, and never venture outside of the city. Shimei eagerly agreed to the terms. He made a commitment.
Shimei kept his word to Solomon until the agreement became an inconvenience. His escaped slaves provided what little justification he needed to break his word. He left Jerusalem in search of the runaways, breaking his agreement with Solomon. Shimei met with the executioner’s sword when Solomon found out about his weekend getaway. One shouldn’t violate his word. Even insignificant commitments should be studiously kept. A commitment is a commitment, and commitment is the issue!
