Topical Bible: Swearing Falsely: Shimei

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Introduction

Swearing falsely, or making an oath with no intention of keeping it, is a serious offense in biblical teaching. It is considered a violation of the commandment against bearing false witness and is condemned throughout Scripture. One notable biblical figure associated with swearing falsely is Shimei, a member of the tribe of Benjamin during the reign of King David and King Solomon.

Biblical Account

Shimei first appears in the biblical narrative during the reign of King David. As David fled from his son Absalom, Shimei cursed and threw stones at him, accusing David of being a man of bloodshed (2 Samuel 16:5-8). Despite the provocation, David chose to spare Shimei's life, demonstrating mercy and restraint (2 Samuel 16:9-13).

After Absalom's rebellion was quashed, Shimei sought forgiveness from David. He met the king at the Jordan River and pleaded for mercy, acknowledging his wrongdoing (2 Samuel 19:18-20). David, in a moment of clemency, swore an oath not to put Shimei to death: "The king said to Shimei, 'You shall not die.' And the king swore an oath to him" (2 Samuel 19:23).

Violation of the Oath

The narrative of Shimei continues in the early days of Solomon's reign. David, on his deathbed, instructed Solomon to deal wisely with Shimei, hinting at the need for justice (1 Kings 2:8-9). Solomon, respecting his father's oath, initially spared Shimei's life but placed him under house arrest in Jerusalem, warning him not to leave the city on pain of death (1 Kings 2:36-37).

Shimei agreed to Solomon's terms, swearing an oath to abide by them: "And Shimei said to the king, 'The sentence is fair; your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.' And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time" (1 Kings 2:38). However, after three years, Shimei broke his oath by leaving Jerusalem to retrieve runaway servants in Gath (1 Kings 2:39-40).

Upon learning of Shimei's actions, Solomon summoned him and reminded him of the oath he had sworn: "Did I not make you swear by the LORD and warn you, saying, 'On the day you leave and go elsewhere, know for sure that you will die'? And you told me, 'The sentence is fair; I will comply'" (1 Kings 2:42). Shimei's violation of his oath led to his execution, fulfilling David's earlier counsel to Solomon (1 Kings 2:44-46).

Theological Implications

The account of Shimei underscores the gravity of swearing falsely and the importance of keeping one's word, especially when invoking the name of the LORD. In biblical theology, an oath is a solemn promise made before God, and breaking such a promise is tantamount to taking God's name in vain. The narrative illustrates the consequences of deceit and the divine expectation of truthfulness and integrity.

Conclusion

The account of Shimei serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of swearing falsely. It highlights the biblical principle that one's words and promises are to be honored, reflecting the character of a faithful and truthful God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 2:41-43
And it was told Solomon that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath, and was come again.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

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