2 Samuel 12:24-25, Solomon Is Born

Tuesday, October 23, 2018
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Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today

“Then David consoled his wife Bathsheba, and went to her, and lay with her; and she bore a son, and he named him Solomon.”

— 2 Samuel 12:24a

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NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, October 23, 2018

by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff

Solomon’s birth is overshadowed by a darkness in the house of David. David fell in love (lust, really) with Bathsheba while she was still married to Uriah. David had Uriah sent to the front lines of war, ensuring he would be killed, which he was. So, David essentially killed Uriah, and then stole his widow, who was already pregnant with David’s son. What. A. Mess.

The Lord was not happy with David, so the Lord killed David’s son. Once their grieving was over, David and Bathsheba had another child, Solomon, who became one of the most wealthy, powerful, and shrewd kings Israel had ever seen.

Do I believe God killed a child to punish a parent? No. Absolutely not. It’s one of those things we do to try to make sense of a senseless event — we blame God. At least if God is in control (even when it’s devastating), then we can feel like there’s a greater purpose, and that the suffering was not for nothing.

But God doesn’t kill kids to punish parents, any more than God rewards the grieving parents with an even better kid. Sometimes events occur, and they suck, and there’s no greater purpose, and we can make no meaning of it. It’s part of the human condition.

Also part of the human condition is the capacity to heal; the willingness to move through the depths of despair alongside those we love who are grieving; the ability to pick ourselves up and make something good come out of a situation that never should have happened; also trusting that God grieves with us and gives us strength to get out of bed day after day.

David and Bathsheba’s grief didn’t end them. They healed; they clung to each other for support (I assume); they went on to have another child; and most importantly, they kept faith in a loving God.

Narrative Lectionary Daily Reading:

2 Samuel 12:24-25

Then David consoled his wife Bathsheba, and went to her, and lay with her; and she bore a son, and he named him Solomon. The Lord loved him, and sent a message by the prophet Nathan; so he named him Jedidiah, because of the Lord.