This is week number two of a series focused on David: A Man for our Time. I had really thought that the sermon would be, given the Independence Day theme, about David as Priest over King. It seemed like a good passage to remind each of us that church and state are not truly equal, separate, yes, but not equal. The passage selected is from 2 Samuel 6 and it is where David dances at the entrance of the Ark into Jerusalem.
Instead, I feel called to talk about why Michal, his wife, has become estranged from David.
By all appearances, he seems to want her for what she can bring to him in the way of power. Gradually, as the story unfolds in 1st and 2nd Samuel, she grows less enamored with David and here, finally, as he dances into Jerusalem in front of the Ark, genitals showing to all who want to see, even 'slave girls', he has crossed some kind of emotional Rubicon for Michal and she says enough.
David seems to have brought this on himself. He treats her abominably over time, seemingly wanting her for what she brings to him in the way of power and prestige, and she keeps giving him slack, and finally, enough.
On a day where our hearts and minds will be looking for the pastor to speak in some kind of illuminating way about freedom (Fourth of July weekend), the words seem to be pointing this pastor towards a reflection on how we can lose our way towards political leadership by treating others shabbily on that journey to kingship.
Peace ...
No comments:
Post a Comment