Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
2 Samuel 3:6–21

While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul.

Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah daughter of Aiah. And Ishbaal said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” The words of Ishbaal made Abner very angry; he said, “Am I a dog’s head for Judah? Today I keep showing loyalty to the house of your father Saul, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me now with a crime concerning this woman. So may God do to Abner and so may he add to it! For just what the Lord has sworn to David, that will I accomplish for him, to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beer-sheba.” And Ishbaal could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him. Abner sent messengers to David at Hebron, saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and I will give you my support to bring all Israel over to you.” He said, “Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall never appear in my presence unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me.” Then David sent messengers to Saul’s son Ishbaal, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, to whom I became engaged at the price of one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” Ishbaal sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish. But her husband went with her, weeping as he walked behind her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go back home!” So he went back. Abner sent word to the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you. Now then bring it about; for the Lord has promised David: Through my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from all their enemies.” Abner also spoke directly to the Benjaminites; then Abner went to tell David at Hebron all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin were ready to do. When Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron, David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. Abner said to David, “Let me go and rally all Israel to my lord the king, in order that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.” So David dismissed Abner, and he went away in peace. (NRSV)

Reflection

The first several times reading this passage I tried to keep track of who was doing what to whom. I looked for patterns and relationships. I considered tribal relationships and generational feuds. I read through the lens of who was being marginalized and who was using power over instead of power with. I asked where ego was getting in the way of pursuing God’s dream for the world.

If you’re so inclined, there are volumes of books dedicated to answering these questions about this passage and about the entire book of Samuel. You might even be inspired to learn enough to lead an Adult Education class on Samuel. The text is simply replete with opportunities for study and investigation.

Or perhaps you can read this passage with a measure of comfort. While names and vocabulary may have changed over the past several thousand years, we haven’t. Watch the news, listen to your neighbor’s gossip, watch reality television or the latest offering from Netflix and Hulu. The same themes will emerge. Someone will be power hungry. Someone will be slighted. Others will be exploited for gain. There will be evil, violence, and oppression. The themes don’t change. Perhaps this is a dire warning that people don’t change.

What remains constant is God’s faithfulness. My goodness! We are a messy bunch. God makes covenants with us, and we break them. God explains the way to be in right relationship with each other, and we do the opposite. We make a colossal dumpster fire out of everything. Still God is faithful. Still God lures us toward a different way of being in this world — over and over for thousands of years.

Prayer
Patient God, don’t give up on us when we make a dumpster fire out of everything. When we see an opportunity for evil, stir our hearts and minds to choose your path instead. Fill us with a desire to bring about your dream. Keep reminding us again and again and again. Amen.

Written by Andrea Denney, Executive Director of Operational Ministries

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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