atoning – The Noontimes

2 Samuel 8 & 9: After Conflict . . . Mercy

Sunday, November 3, 2019

This is such a straightforward story. David is anointed king but must battle years against Saul while he waits for the crown to come to him in God’s time. Jonathan, the son of Saul, is his boon companion in battle and in peace. Theirs is a story worth reading.

Both Saul and Jonathan die during this conflict which leaves a vacuum for a time . . . and this is where we enter the story today. When the dust settles, David is victorious and becomes king. In his first days as king, he restores what was lost to the son of his friend Jonathan. David embodies mercy. This is why we regard him as great. He loves.

Verses 15-18 of Chapter 8 remind me of Acts 2:42-47. After tremendous strife there comes the lull, like the brilliant blue skies after a cloud-sweeping hurricane. After violence and death, there is always the potent force of peace, of mercy; but there is also something always lurking – the trap door of forgetting God. For David his sin is succumbing to the temptation of Bathsheba – the mother of Solomon. He takes her willfully, joins with her, impregnates her, and lays a trap to murder her husband. Then later – after his sin is cleverly pointed out by the prophet Nathan, he despairs of his actions and repents. This is also why we regard him as great. He atones.

Bathsh1[1] — *“Bathsheba was capable, subtle, and gifted. She produced a son, Solomon, whose wisdom and intellectual brilliance would be known throughout history”.*
*Frank Dicksee: http://www.womeninthebible.net/women-bible-old-new-testaments/bathsheba/*

In times of plenty we ought to rejoice, but we also must hold ourselves ready for the temptations which always follow when tensions ease. Perhaps a little conflict is a good thing – it keeps us prepared for what is important. It prevents us from thinking that we alone are sufficient. It reminds us that God alone is enough. This is the greatest lesson David brings to us. He remembers . . . that even in cataclysmic times we must show mercy . . . for we will want mercy shown to us in like fashion.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive . . .

Amen.

Written on October 16, 2008 and posted today as a Favorite.

To see two short video clips from NOVA about the unearthing of the walls of Jerusalem and its palace, click on the image of David above and go through the six slides, or go to: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bible/maza-01.html

To read more about Bathsheba, click on the image of “Leila” above or go to: http://www.womeninthebible.net/1.11.Bathsheba.htm

The Noontimes

Tag: atoning

2 Samuel 8 & 9: After Conflict . . . Mercy

Tag: atoning

2 Samuel 8 & 9: After Conflict . . . Mercy

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