Monday 20 January 2025
In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. (v. 1)
Background
David is the iconic King of Israel, the hero of the golden age of the people of Israel. And yet, in this story, we learn that heroes have feet of clay.
The writer sets the scene by describing the ongoing conflict with the neighbouring tribe, the Ammonites. In the first verse he reminds us that it is spring, "the time when kings go out to battle". King David, however, has not gone out to battle. He is lounging around on the roof of his palace in Jerusalem, while Joab and the army are facing the risks and privations of the front line.
The language recalls both the original desire of the people for a king who would "go out before us and fight our battles" (1 Samuel 8:20), and also Samuel’s warning that handing power to a king risks creating an unscrupulous and selfish ruler who will take, take, take (1 Samuel 8:11-18). In this story, Samuel is proved right. David sees a beautiful woman and takes her. He sends messengers to ‘get’ her; he uses his position of power to have sex with her; when she tells him she is pregnant, he tries to manipulate her husband into spending the night with her so that the child might be passed off as legitimate.
In this story, the writer holds up various pictures of what it means to be human. The virtuous Uriah, who refuses to go home to eat and sleep in comfort while the soldiers are living in tents in the open field. The woman who has no voice and no agency in her own life, and whose only words are "I am pregnant". The king who would seem to have everything, and yet wants the one thing he doesn’t have – someone else’s wife.
To Ponder:
- Why do you think the writers of 2 Samuel included this story about the great King David?
- Is it inevitable that those with great power will misuse it?
- What power do you have? How do you use – or abuse – it?
Prayer
Holy God, give us the courage to be honest with ourselves about our own lives and choices. Help us to recognise the potential for both good and evil in ourselves – and in every person. Draw us towards what is good. Amen.
Bibles Notes author: The Revd Val Reid
Val Reid is a newly retired presbyter who lives in Salisbury. She is exploring what ministry looks like in this new season of her life and relishes time for choral singing, wild swimming and walks in the New Forest.