Thursday 23 January 2025

Psalm 61

Background
Yesterday the prophet Nathan told a story of a greedy rich man to King David, who was outraged ( 2 Samuel 12:1-6). He was alluding to David's behaviour. It is only when David has pronounced judgement on the greedy, selfish rich man of Nathan’s parable, that Nathan makes the connection between story and reality. "You are the man!" (v. 7) he says to David.

Nathan then gives a direct message from God, a prophetic oracle. This is God’s telling of the story of David’s life, and it begins by reminding him of all that he has been gifted by God – his anointing as king, his rescue from the murderous plans of Saul, his rule over the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the many wives of his house. And, says God, if that was too little, I would have given you even more. God’s ‘giving’ is directly contrasted with David’s ‘taking’.

David might have deluded himself that Uriah was killed in the heat of the battle, and suppressed his own sense of culpability. But Nathan makes it clear that God does not condone such spiritual evasion. "You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword" (v 9). David may not have held the weapon himself, but he was surely responsible. Nathan also makes it clear that David has not just sinned against Bathsheba and against Uriah. He has sinned against God. He has despised the word of the Lord – the same sin for which his predecessor, Saul, was rejected as king. David’s sin will have consequences: the sexual and physical violence which David has wielded against others, will now be wielded against him and his own family. "Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house" (v. 10).

The shock of Nathan’s dramatic "You are the man!" is poignantly held in tension with the shock of David’s response: "I have sinned."

Not every Old Testament ruler confronted by a prophetic warning is so open to recognising their own accountability. The prophet Elijah has to flee from Ahab and Jezebel; and Jeremiah is repeatedly criticised and imprisoned for speaking truth to power. But David does not prevaricate. He knows himself. He knows his God. He knows he has done wrong.

To Ponder:

• What has God gifted to you in your life?
• Do we ever excuse our selfish behaviour because the people who are affected are remote from our lives?
• When did you last say, ‘I have sinned’ and meant it?

Prayer
Holy God, when we are oblivious to your generosity, forgive us. When we make excuses for our own poor choices, forgive us. When we fail to listen to the voices that remind us of your kingdom values, forgive us. Give us the courage to face the truth, and to face you. 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.