Day 140: David's Prayer of Thanksgiving

 Today's readings: 2 Samuel 22, 1 Chronicles 27, and Psalm 41.

I. 2 Samuel 22 is David's great hymn of thanksgiving after God delivered him from Saul and his other enemies, which is nearly identical to Psalm 18. He celebrates God's faithfulness, justice, and power, while acknowledging that all his victories came from the Lord alone.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

David reflects on his life and proclaims that the Lord has saved him because he loves him. He can look back on his life and rejoice, despite all of his failures... David understands his brokenness. His sins have been on full display to the people of Israel. Yet he knows that God's strength has helped him and made him great. The challenge for us is to acknowledge the truth of our lives courageously, both the good and the bad, and recognize where God has helped us with his grace to overcome our weaknesses. (p. 42)

II. 1 Chronicles 27 describes how David organized the kingdom before Solomon's reign. It highlights David's orderly administration and shows that good governance is part of faithful kingship.

III. Psalm 41 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A thanksgiving psalm for a recent healing. The Psalmist's recovery is celebrated briefly before he looks back on the trials of his sickness, when he was slandered by enemies and betrayed by a close friend. The Lord's care for the sick as well as his healing power are confirmed by the Psalmist's experience. (p. 865)

That's all for today!

Day 139: Reparation to the Gibeonites

 Today's readings: 2 Samuel 21, 1 Chronicles 26, and Psalm 40.

I. 2 Samuel 21 gives two episodes that occurred near the end of David's reign. In the first, Israel experienced a three-year famine. David seeks help from the Lord, who reveals that it is due to Saul's bloodguilt for attempting to destroy the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). The Gibeonites refuse money, but demand seven male descendants of Saul to be handed over for execution. David gives them what they ask. Afterward, he buries their bodies with the bones of Saul and Jonathan, and the famine ends. In the second episode, the Philistines again make war on Israel, and David is nearly killed, but is saved by Abishai. David realizes that he can no longer fight battles as he used to, having grown older.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary about the closing of this chapter:

The final section of 2 Samuel 21 describes wars with the Philistines. There is something powerful about how David, despite being old and weary, is still willing to go into battle. In 2 Samuel 11, we see that he avoided battle, but now he is willing to do his duty as king. David has come face-to-face with the fact that he is no longer the man he once was. This is a lesson to all of us as we continue to grow and get older. There is something humbling about this truth. (p. 40)

As someone who has grown older myself, it is indeed humbling but also a bit frustrating at times. 

II. 1 Chronicles 26 describes the organization of the gatekeepers, treasurers, and other officials responsible for the administration of the Temple and the kingdom under David. Although the Temple had not yet been built, and wouldn't be until Solomon reigned, David organized its future ministry in advance.

III. Psalm 40 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A thanksgiving psalm to which a prayer for mercy and help are joined. The opening verses celebrate God's marvelous intervention in coming to the Psalmist's rescue - actions that he now proclaims publicly and gratefully. His experience of being saved serves as a lesson for the others, encouraging them to trust in the Lord as well. Psalm 40 is the responsorial psalm for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. (p. 863)

That's it for today!

Day 138: The Effect of Sin on Others

Today's readings: 2 Samuel 20, 1 Chronicles 25, and Psalm 39.

I. 2 Samuel 20 recounts a rebellion by Sheba the Benjaminite. Although he is eventually defeated and killed, enough Israelites had sided with him that this is another foreshadowing of how Israel would split after the death of Solomon. During the fighting, Joab murdered a rival named Amasa, which will cost him his own life later (1 Kings 2:5-6; 32-34). 

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary about David's poor concubines:

As we see in 2 Samuel 20:3, violence begets violence. David left ten of his concubines behind to care for the house, and Absalom raped them. Because of this, David treats them as widows. They are sequestered until their deaths. This seems unjust. They are "caught in the crossfire" between David and Absalom's evil choices. Here we see how others can suffer due to our sins. The consequences of our evil choices do not end with us. (p. 38)

I don't even know what to say here. Easy for me to judge 3,000+ years later, but still. Those poor women were truly treated unjustly from the description.

II. 1 Chronicles 25 describes how David organized the musicians for the worship of God in the Tabernacle. It emphasizes that sacred music was a divinely appointed ministry and not just merely a performance.

III. Psalm 39 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

A lament psalm. Initially the speaker, beset with a terminal illness, was determined to accept his suffering quietly and without complaint; but when his condition worsened, he was unable to keep silent any longer. He asks the Lord for a true understanding of the brevity of life and prays for deliverance from both his sin and his sickness. (p. 863) 

That's all for today!

Day 137: David Mourns Absalom

Today's readings: 2 Samuel 19, 1 Chronicles 24, and Psalm 38.

I. 2 Samuel 19 recounts the aftermath following the death of Absalom and the end of the rebellion. It moves from David's grief over Absalom's death to his restoration as king over Israel. Joab rebukes David for his deep mourning, telling him that such dishonors the soldiers who have died for him. David heeds him, morale improves, and he is restored as the rightful king of Israel. Shimei, who had cursed David, meets with him and asks for forgiveness. Abishai wants him executed, but David shows the man mercy. David is unsure of him, but Mephibosheth reveals his loyalty and humility. Barzillai, who had supplied David's forces during the rough times, is rewarded. Finally, the northern tribes complain that Judah brought David back without consulting them. The argument becomes heated, foreshadowing the later division of the kingdom after Solomon dies.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, has some good commentary on this:

[W]e see that David mourns the death of Absalom. This is understandable for him as a father, but it brings shame upon the people because of the twenty thousand who died to preserve David's kingdom. Seeing David's grief, the people believe he would rather they had died than Absalom... Later, the people of Judah reestablish David as king of Israel, but there is dissension between them and the other tribes. Here, we can see the seeds of rebellion that will take place after the death of David's son Solomon. (p. 36)

II. In 1 Chronicles 24 David organized the descendants of Aaron into 24 priestly divisions to serve in the Temple. Although Solomon would later build the Temple, David prepared its worship in advance.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

[T]he line of David is highlighted because from it will come the Messiah... Though priests only come from the tribe of Levi, David is sometimes described as wearing an ephod - a priestly garment - when he goes to pray before the Lord... Jesus, a descendant of David in the tribe of Judah, is described as a priest in the order of Melchizedek - which is different from the Levitical priesthood. Here, David foreshadows Jesus both as King and priest. (p. 36)

III. Psalm 38 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm that Christian tradition counts as one of the seven penitential psalms, along with Pss 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, 143. Having committed sin, the Psalmist is seized by mental and physical distress that he regards as divine discipline. He is alienated by friends and family and feels vulnerable to the scheming of his enemies. His confession of sin is coupled with earnest appeals for God's help. (p. 862)

That's it for today!

Day 136: Absalom is Defeated

Today's readings: 2 Samuel 18, 1 Chronicles 23, and Psalm 37.

I. 2 Samuel 18 recounts how Absalom's rebellion is crushed as David's forces defeat his army, and Absalom is killed. Yet, the victory is overshadowed by David's sorrow over the death of his son.

II. 1 Chronicles 23 marks a transition from David's reign to Solomon's as king. David is near the end of his life, and he prepares carefully for the Temple that Solomon will build. The focus is on worship and proper service to God rather than military achievements.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

David establishes what Temple worship is to look like. He changes some of the former rules. Since the Temple is larger than the Tent of Meeting and is a permanent structure, there is a necessary shift in the type and amount of work that needs to be done. So David restructures the service of the Levites, reducing the minimum age for serving from thirty to twenty. (p. 34)

III. Psalm 37 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A wisdom psalm. The poet is an elderly wise man who speaks from a lifetime of experience. He counsels those who are vexed and angered that the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous struggle through life with very little. Reassurance is given that this is merely a temporary situation, for the ungodly are destined to reap the just punishments they deserve. In the meantime, the righteous are urged to trust in the Lord as their refuge and to wait upon his justice. Psalm 37 is an acrostic poem in which every other line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. (p. 860)

That's all for today!

Day 135: The Counsel of Hushai

 Today's readings: 2 Samuel 17, 1 Chronicles 22, and Psalm 36.

I. 2 Samuel 17 continues the competing counsel given to Absalom during his rebellion against King David. It also shows God's providence in preserving David despite Absalom's apparent advantage. Ahithophel, David's former adviser, proposes an aggressive military strategy to kill David, thus sparing his followers. Hushai, however, when asked, appealed to Absalom's pride and desire for glory by advising him to gather all Israel into a massive army and lead it personally into battle. Hushai also managed to warn David. When Ahithophel heard that Absalom rejected his plan, he knew his cause was doomed. He didn't flee, but instead hung himself like Judas Iscariot would do years later, rather than face justice for his betrayal. The chapter closes with David's army being strengthened, thanks to the generosity of supporters who provided supplies. 

II. In 1 Chronicles 22, David transitions from warrior-king to preparer for the Lord's Temple. God didn't permit David to build the Temple, but David devoted himself to ensuring that Solomon would have everything he needed to complete it. He chose the site where the Temple would be built and gathered the materials to build it. David told Solomon why he could not build the Temple and that Solomon would do so instead. He blessed Solomon and charged him to obey the Lord. Finally, he commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon build the Temple.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes on David preparing for the Temple and Solomon building it:

In John 4, Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well, who says, "Our fathers worshipped on this mountain; and you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship" (John 4:20). But Jesus replies, "The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23). Here, we see a foreshadowing of the Holy Eucharist, given by Jesus at the Last Supper and celebrated throughout the world during Mass. (p. 32)

III. Psalm 36 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes (verse numbers removed):

A lament psalm interwoven with wisdom themes. It contrasts the folly of the wicked with the faithfulness of God and ends with a prayer for divine protection from evildoers. (p. 860)

That's it for today! 

Day 134: Devastating Effects of Sin

Today's readings: 2 Samuel 16, 1 Chronicles 21, and Psalm 15.

I. 2 Samuel 16 continues the story of David's flight from Absalom during Absalom's rebellion. It contrasts loyalty, deception, and divine judgment. We are told that Shimei, a Benjaminite from Saul's family, curses David. Abishai wanted to kill him, but David stayed his hand. When Absalom entered Jerusalem, Ahitophel advised him to publicly sleep with David's concubines, which he did. So much for loyalty, let alone consent.

The BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

David's response, though, reveals that he has indeed been humbled. He says that he is not so good and innocent that he does not deserve these curses. This is a great sign of repentance to say, "If you knew my heart and how much I have sinned against the Lord, you would know that your criticism of me doesn't cover half of it." (p. 30)

II. 1 Chronicles 21 recounts David's census of Israel, but with details and theological emphases that differ from the parallel account in 2 Samuel 24. In this account, Satan incites David to do the census, making God angry. He offers a choice of punishments to David through the prophet Gad. David offers his own life, but 70,000 Israelites die in a plague instead. God commands David to build an altar, and he offers sacrifices. God answers by sending fire from heaven, and the plague ceases. This will be the future site of Solomon's Temple.

The differences from 2 Samuel seem odd to me, more for why God was angry. The BIY Companion, Vol II, explains, though, that "by conducting a new census, David is implying that the people of Israel are not God's people anymore but his." Now that makes much more sense.

III. Psalm 15 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

An entrance liturgy. It opens with questions, probably posed by a Levite or priest, and it continues with the congregation's response as they enter the precincts of the Temple. At issue are the moral requirements for entering the Lord's presence. The worshipper must be righteous in word and deed and a model of justice toward his neighbor. Scholars also identify Ps 24 as an entrance liturgy. (p. 841)

That's all for today!