This week’s reading begins with David capturing Jerusalem, which will eventually become the heart of Israel and the home of God’s temple. It ends with what might be David’s biggest defeat, his destructive sin with Bathsheba.
"…that God may open a door (Col. 4:3)"
Few names in Scripture elicit more mental imagery than David. Jesus, certainly. Moses, most likely. But whom else? David and Goliath. The city of David. David, the warrior king. David, the Psalmist. David, the devoted friend. David and Bathsheba. David, the man after God’s own heart.
The reading this week signals the end of the period of the Judges and the beginning of a new era in Israel, one in which God is replaced as king.
After all that has happened to Israel since the nation crossed the Jordan to fulfill God’s promise to Abraham, one would think that these images and memories would be hard-pressed into the hearts of the children of Israel and serve as a vivid reminder of God’s power and grace. But no.
After all that has happened to Israel since the nation crossed the Jordan to fulfill God’s promise to Abraham: after Jericho and Ai, and the painful lesson of Achan’s sin, and the division of the Promised Land, and the powerful final address from Joshua. One would think that these images and memories would be hard-pressed into the hearts of the children of Israel and serve as a vivid reminder of God’s power and grace. But no.
It is interesting to observe that the people of Israel will consistently disobey God, and then, in turn, blame its leaders or even God himself. Why is it that mankind often lacks the ability to admit its own failures, accept responsibility for its choices and actions, or to place blame where blame is actually due?