Living in the Spirit
June 18, 2018
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17:1-23, 32-49
David said to Saul, ‘Let no one’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.’ Saul said to David, ‘You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.’ But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after it and struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned against me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. Your servant has killed both lions and bears; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.’ David said, ‘The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.’ So Saul said to David, ‘Go, and may the Lord be with you!’ –1 Samuel 32-37
I learned the Bible through stories as a preschooler. This story, I sang. Only a Boy Named David, Only a Little Sling. I do not remember every considering this to have anything to do with violence. It described a boy who was brave and smart and going to have a great future as a leader. A good role model for any child. I grew up on a farm had responsibilities from an early age for the care and feeding of animals. I could identify with David. I, however, was a failure at killing chickens much less a giant man.
Dealing with violence in the Bible in a society ripe with violence is a challenge. David is a key figure in the story of the Hebrews. We already must deal with his adultery readily recognizing it as sin and perhaps that is a clue to dealing with a boy killing a giant. Talking about a culture of war that has existed forever might be a possible subject. Wondering what about winning at any cost is so attractive to us is another approach. Discussing alternatives to violence in solving problems would be appropriate. Such discussions are needed among adults who have already learned another narrative. Once the adults transitioned to a new vision of dispute settlement, the children will pick up on it.ed
David is believed to have written many of the Psalms. Perhaps considering some of the Psalms against the backdrop of the giant-killing story.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long. –Psalm 23
Prayer: Lord, lead us to new insights as we study ancient scripture. Amen.