DAILY BIBLE READING
May 10: Ps 50/53/60/75
May 11: 2Sam10; 1Chron 19; Ps 20
May 12: Ps 65-67/69-70
May 13: 2Sam 11-12; 1Chron 20
May 14: Ps 32/51/86/122
May 15: 2Sam 13-15
May 16: Ps 3-4/12-13/28/55
May 17: 2Sam 16-18
NOTES ON THIS WEEK’S READINGS
· As we continue with these parallel accounts of David’s rule in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, one of the interesting contrasts is observing what the Chronicler omits. Among the significant differences – the saga involving Bathsheba. It was of keen interest closer to the time of David’s rule (2 Samuel), but after centuries had passed (1 Chronicles) the writer did not deem the story to be as critical. Nor did he find the betrayal of Absalom as significant. Why?
· I don’t know whether the editors of the “chronological reading plan” are simply taking educational guesses about which psalms fit which events in David’s life. Certainly Psalm 51 is directly related to David’s adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. Even with the other psalms for this week, however, they do come alive in a fresh way when connected to these significant turning points in David’s life.
DEVOTIONS
It’s an expression that’s become a common affirmation today. When an athlete hits the game-winning basket or home run, when a salesperson strikes a deal, when a soldier strikes a target, he is likely to hear, “You’re the man!”
The emphasis is on the last word. “You’re the man!”
When David heard that expression from the prophet Nathan, the emphasis was on the first word. “You are the man!” It was not a compliment. It was more like the words a pedophile priest might hear, or a pastor convicted of fraud.
David had risen to power through an astounding set of circumstances that would be called “good luck” in any context outside the biblical one. It took years of favorable events, accompanied by numerous near-misses by his enemies, especially Saul, for David reach the throne. Then, with God’s help, he expanded and secured the nation’s borders like no Israelite ruler before or since.
David started well, but in 2 Samuel 11 power had corrupted him. It had blurred his moral vision. He broke almost every one of the Ten Commandments in the Bathsheba affair. And sadly, as is often true of men with power, he could not see the gravity of his offense until Nathan came to him with a parable and declared, “You are the man!”
Few leaders start well and finish strong. Success and failure, excitement and boredom, all bring their unique temptations and pitfalls. Let’s make it our goal when the journey is over to hear the Lord say, “You are the man!” (as in Mt. 25:21).