One of my motto's in Life is "It's better to be RIGHT than to be KIND".
It is because I see loopholes in KINDNESS; An opportunity to the other person to take advantage of you. Well, that's the way I think (triggered by past experiences).
he concluded his message by a saying that "It is better to be KIND than to be RIGHT" because you'll have an opportunity to show love.
WOW! his message really struck me. Many questions and past situations suddenly popped to my mind. Personally, I asked myself, which is which? Is it better to be RIGHT or KIND?
I was reading 2 Samuel when the story of "King David and Shimei" interest me.
When King David escaped from his son Absalom, and went Bahurim. A Benjaminite, same as clan of Saul named Shimei is approached and said to him.
"...Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!” Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.” But the king said, What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, Curse David,’ who can ask, Why do you do this?
David then said to Abishai and all his officials, My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.” So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself." - 2 Samuel 16:7-14
After reading these passage, I was reminded about the message of our elder.
King David was able to show kindness to Shimei despite of what he did to him.
He's the king, he can do anything but he humble himself towards Shimei.
As the story goes, King David was restored as King of Israel.
"...As the men of Judah had come to meet the king, Shimei hurried down and meet King David.
When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.” Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, Shouldnt Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lords anointed.” David replied, What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don't I know that today I am king over Israel?” So the king said to Shimei, You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath." - 2 Samuel 19:18-23
Maybe Shimei came to his senses that he should not do what he had done to David after their last encounter. So, he took this opportunity to apologized before the king. Or maybe, when Shimei had known that David was again the King of Israel and thinks that David may go after him, he took his chance to apologized to King David in front of the men of Judah.
Regardless of Shimei's reason why he had done that (only God knows); despite of what he did in the past, David had shown him kindness and mercy, letting Shimei lived twice.
(I imagined in movies, the hero usually get killed in this kind of scenario. While villain is apologizing, he'll struck the hero and died instantly.)
The story still continues...
When the kingship was passed on to his son Solomon and before David died. He remembers Shimei and asked Solomon to use his wisdom to deal with him.
"And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the Lord: I will not put you to death by the sword.’ But now, do not consider him innocent. You are a man of wisdom; you will know what to do to him. Bring his gray head down to the grave in blood.” - 1 Kings 2:8-9
"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.”
Shimei answered the king, What you say is good. Your servant will do as my lord the king has said.” And Shimei stayed in Jerusalem for a long time.
But three years later, two of Shimeis slaves ran off to Achish son of Maakah, king of Gath, and Shimei was told, Your slaves are in Gath.” At this, he saddled his donkey and went to Achish at Gath in search of his slaves. So Shimei went away and brought the slaves back from Gath.
When Solomon was told that Shimei had gone from Jerusalem to Gath and had returned, the king summoned Shimei and said to him, Did I not make you swear by the Lord and warn you, On the day you leave to go anywhere else, you can be sure you will die’? At that time you said to me, What you say is good. I will obey.’ Why then did you not keep your oath to the Lord and obey the command I gave you?”
The king also said to Shimei, You know in your heart all the wrong you did to my father David. Now the Lord will repay you for your wrongdoing. But King Solomon will be blessed, and Davids throne will remain secure before the Lord forever.”
Then the king gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down and he died. The kingdom was now established in Solomons hands. - 1 Kings 2:36-46
Truly God blessed Solomon wisdom. He can easily struck down Shimei, instead he showed him kindness by allowing (with condition) him to live in Gath. However, when Shimei broke his vow, Solomon did not hesitate to do the the right thing.
There is nothing wrong in doing what is right, yet being kind is another thing.
I can simply say "Hello!" when a friend greeted me, but there's a difference when my response is "Hello! How are you?". Hope you know what I mean. :)
Our God is a forgiving God and He's also God of many chances, yet He is just. He never let the wicked unpunished.
Although my motto is "It's better to RIGHT than to be KIND", but in reality, I usually do practice to be KIND. :)
Lastly, which is which? Either of the two, you can never be wrong but there is wisdom in being KIND.
"TO GOD BE THE GLORY"
"Read your Bible and pray everyday and you'll GROW, GROW, GROW"
~ If this post somehow helped or inspire you, please share your thoughts in the comment section ~
Thank You and God bless.
