Welcome to the Pauline Family's "Year of the Bible"! I'm reading the Bible clear through this year, and I invite you to read along with me. But first, let us pray:
My God, I adore and thank your loving and wise Providence, manifested on every page of Sacred Scripture. You have always been close to sinful and erring humanity, and have indicated the way and given hope. Amid the shadows of error and corruption, you kindled the light of your truth; amid universal corruption, you are the Just One; amid so much idolatry, humanity in every corner of the earth has cultivated a sincere worship of you.
Let my reading today increase my trust in your goodness, your mercy, and your unfailing faithfulness.
Today's chapters are 2 Samuel 10-12 and (because it is Lent) Psalm 39.
Oh, dear. The first sentence of Chapter 11 clues us in that all will not be well with David. This is the season "when kings go to war," but instead of strategizing on the best way to keep his lands safe from enemy incursions, King David strategizes about the best way to pursue the lovely lady next door. Typically, David's sins have been neatly and simply categorized as adultery and murder. Modern awareness of power dynamics make us even more sensitive to the way David in his lust trampled on the human dignity of both Bathsheba and her husband, David's loyal soldier Uriah.
David's repentance is profound and sincere. He does not hide behind excuses or shift blame (as Adam did) to the woman. But sin has repercussions. This betrayal of covenant faithfulness with God will destroy David's family and kingdom. Still, God is going to salvage the remains of David's faith and preserve the one tribe of Judah, through which God's promise to Abraham will still be fulfilled. Some degree of reparation would also be made for the trampling of Bathsheba's dignity when she would become Queen Mother at the elevation of her son Solomon to his father's throne.
Start reading 2 Samuel here and Psalm 39 here.
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