So, the first two chapters of 1 Kings are straight out of game of thrones. Old dude King David laying in a bed with a young girl to keep him warm, although they don’t have sex. Mkay. A contested succession, although David settles it before he dies. At the behest of Solomon’s mother. From rape victim to Lady Macbeth for Bathsheba. Then, full Godfather style, Solomon goes about killing his rivals and unifying his power.
Chronicles is a much sanitized version. Recall that Bathsheba is not in the book of Chronicles. Interesting.
It is hard to see the presence of God in these intrigues. A realm of shifting loyalties and long simmering revenge doesn’t feel like a place in which God’s presence can easily be felt.
So, we turn to the Psalms. Frist 37 is quite a long psalm, and it is all about how God blesses the righteous and punishes los malvados. “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.” Ps. 37:25-26. So, I think the psalmist needs to get out more, because I am aware of righteous who have been forsaken. See, e.g., Job, Christ on the Cross, not to mention the folks at I-HELP and Paz de Cristo.
Psalm 71 runs the same way and then psalm 94 gives a hint that it could be a reference to the events from Kings of a usurper. “Can a corrupt throne be allied with you- a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?” Ps. 94:20. Although, seems like this could refer to all kinds of evildoers.
We have an evil king in America today. As my reading takes me through the stories of evil kings in Israel & Judah, I wonder what guidance I can find. The Lord is my Rock and my Redeemer. Is that personal advice, or national policy advice?