Last Words

Last words usually reveal a person's private thoughts and feelings. Just before being hanged Saddam Hussein expressed his anger toward his adversaries. “Down with the traitors, the Americans, the spies and the Persians.” He expressed strong feelings that served as a little window into his mind. Contrast Saddam's outburst with one of Jesus' final statements, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

It's not difficult to understand why some people at the end of their lives express anger or even rage because of what happened during their lifetime. The Bible says we are all sinners, so hard feelings, anger, hatred in varying degrees come naturally to all of us. Following Jesus' example is a worthy objective that too often seems unrealistic, out of reach. Of course no matter what's cooking on the inside, we do our best to look good on the outside. To some extent we are all, at the same time, saints and sinners. And apart from God's grace and mercy we would all perish.

I'm reminded of King David. He was an oriental potentate like Saddam and there were a few occasions when he acted the way Saddam acted. The Bible says he raided villages, taking everything of value and killing the entire population so no one would know that he had done. (I Samuel 27:9) I'll bet many people were overwhelmed with terror when David and his men appeared on the scene. That's something that Saddam would understand. Yet, God says that He found in David a man after His own heart who would do all His will. (Acts 13:22)

David is portrayed in both a positive and negative light in the Bible. Words describing him include intelligent, strong, loyal, courageous, gentle. But he was also deceitful, cunning, unscrupulous, calculating, and murderous. Without question, he was a complex man.

David's last words are interesting. They flow from his relationship with Shimei, a Benjaminite. When Absalom, David's son, conspired to assume the king's throne, David fled from Jerusalem. Along the way he encountered Shimei who cursed him and threw stones at him and shouted at him, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man!” (II Samuel 16:7) As an oriental king whose word was law, David could have done what he had done on other occasions and immediately order that Shimei be executed. One of his traveling companions offered to do the job on the spot, but David said to leave him alone. So David and his entourage proceeded on their way while Shimei followed and continued his rant. One commentator describes David's response as, “grace under pressure.” In view of future events it might be more accurate to consider his response as “revenge aroused.”

When the threat to David's authority ended and Absalom was dead, David once again took control of his kingdom and returned to Jerusalem. Guess what? Shimei and 1000 Benjamenites rushed to Jerusalem seeking pardon and begging for the king's forgiveness. “Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. For your servant knows that I have sinned.” (II Samuel 19:19) David generously responded with an oath, “You shall not die!” Sounds like Shimei was off the hook. Not so! This incident was just one more step along the way and could be described as “revenge delayed.” Some say protecting Shimei at this point gave David a political advantage with the Benjamenites.

A short time before David's death he appointed his son, Solomon, king. As David's time to die drew near he gave specific instructions to Solomon regarding Shimei. These were his last words, “I swore to him by the Lord saying, 'I will not put you to death with the sword.' Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless . . . You will know what you ought to do to him, and you shall bring his gray head down with blood to Sheol.” (I Kings 2:9) This might be described as “revenge arranged.”

After David's death Solomon commanded Shimei to live in Jerusalem and threatened him with death if he ever left the city. Three years later two of Shimei's servants ran away. Shimei left Jerusalem in pursuit. It was reported to Solomon and he ordered Shimei's death. Benaiah, Solomon's hit man, without hesitation, carried out the order. Perhaps this could be called, “revenge accomplished.”

Reading this story I get the impression that Shimei's untimely death was a foregone conclusion from the moment he cursed David and threw stones at him. Revenge aroused, revenge delayed, revenge arranged, revenge accomplished. Sweet revenge! And remember, David was a man after God's heart who would do all His will.

There is much about David and the Lord's relationship with him that I do not understand. But there are a few things that give me insight into why God could use a man like David. First, the Bible says that the Lord raised him up. Being the king of Israel wasn't David's idea. God is sovereign. He always accomplishes His will in His way. He is under no obligation to explain to me why He chose David.

Second, when David sinned, and it was brought to his attention, he acknowledged his sin and genuinely repented. That's important! The Psalms give us much insight into the mind of David and there is much there that is good, inspiring and worthy of emulation. For example, read Psalm 51.

Third, when I read the story about David I unconsciously think that he was a worse sinner than I am. In my mind David's sins were much greater, more extreme than mine. I look good compared to him. This is self deception and it's easy to ignore. It's easy to ignore with regard to many relationships in life. Is there any reason for me to think that I am in better condition, more worthy to be used by God than David or than some other person? I don't think so.

And this leads to the fourth point. If God can use a man like David, and He did in a mighty way, perhaps there's hope that He can use a guy like me. Thank God for His grace and mercy.

A person's last words reveal their private thoughts and motives. They reveal a person's character. So the question is, What will my last words be? What will they reveal about me? Will they be a curse or a blessing?