Day 121: Cycle of Violence

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

I. 2 Samuel 2 recounts first how David sought God's guidance about what to do next. He is told to go to Hebron, and he is anointed king of Judah. David commends the men of Jabesh-Gilead for their courage in retrieving and burying the bodies of Saul and Jonathan, as well as encourages them to remain loyal. Saul's commander, Abner, takes the late king's last remaining son, Ish-bosheth, and makes him king of most of Israel. Abner's forces then meet those of Joab, David's commander, where the latter defeats the former. Job's brother Asahel doggedly pursues Abner, who warns him off. Asahel refuses to listen, and Abner kills him. This sparks a blood feud between Joab and Abner. Both Joab and Abishai, enraged at the death of Asahel, then pursue Abner, who calls for peace and for the fighting to stop. Asahel is buried in Bethlehem, and David's men return to Hebron.

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

Violence does not simply end on its own; it must be ended by those who are fighting. Jesus allows violence to fall upon himself, suffering for the sake of the unrighteous. This puts an end to the cycle in many ways. Jesus gives us an opportunity to be part of the cycle of mercy - the cycle of allowing oneself to suffer for another. He calls us to forgive. Forgiveness, though, is one of the most difficult teachings of Christianity. (p. 4)

II. 1 Chronicles 2 begins by listing the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel. The genealogy then focuses on Judah, from whom the Messiah would come. Included in this are David's military leaders, Joab, Asahel, and Abishai. The remainder of the chapter traces various branches of Judah's family up to the time of David. Rather a dull reading, to be honest, but still important information for narrative story.

As the BIY Companion, Vol II, notes:

This genealogy in Chronicles tells the story from Abraham to David. Then the family line will go on from David to Jesus, who had been promised from the very beginning. Some of the names may be unfamiliar, but each individual has a place in salvation history. (p. 4)

III. Psalm 24 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

An entrance liturgy. Its Temple setting and its reference to God entering the gates point to a ritual procession featuring the Ark of the Covenant. Perhaps it was a ceremony for reinstalling the ark in the Temple after it had been carried forth into battle (24:8; cf. Num 10:35-36; 1 Sam 4:3-4). The psalm's questions and answers form an antiphonal dialogue that would have been sung in the Temple choir and the assembled congregation. Scholars also identify Ps 15 as an entrance liturgy. (p. 849)

That's all for today!