Well, life caught up with me again. Some of it was deposition and filing deadlines that took up all of the available space. But also, the last three days have included Mother’s Day gift of a painting class, and packing food for needy children with my church. So, I will allow myself some grace.
So, here’s the reading for today.
138. Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64
139. 2 Samuel 19-21
140. Psalms 5, 38, 41-42
141. 2 Samuel 22-23; Psalm 57
First, let’s wrap up David’s story. He has to put down another rebellion. This time from Sheba the Benjaminites. Saul, and the Benjaminites remain a problem for his entire reign it appears. There are some strange exchanges between the descendants of Saul who are loyal to David. Then there is a peculiar incident in which seven of Saul’s descendants are sacrificed on a mountain to pay a debt to another tribe. David’s reign seems to have been a time of unending conflict, even as recorded by his admirers. (There is also the story of the Second Goliath in this selection.)
A final note of awfulness. The concubines who were raped by Absalon are addressed in this passage. Upon returning to the Palace, David cares for them for the rest of their lives, but never sleeps with them. They remain locked in the palace and live their lives as widows. The extremity of the violence done to women in scripture and the wickedness that springs from this property notion of women, especially as to their sexuality is stunning.
The church needs to take responsibility for it.
The Psalms in next post. (Which includes 2 Sam 22)