An experiment… the Lectionary (the assigned Scripture readings for the day) walks us through the story of David during the next two months, and it seems like a good opportunity to explore how this central figure in the history of Judaism might speak to our own times. The Biblical record of David’s life starts in the middle of I Samuel, goes right through II Samuel, and ends with his death at the beginning of I Kings — David is remembered as a shepherd, a poet, a warrior, a lover, a king and a father; it’s a great story!! So, each week in worship we will be highlighting a particular facet of David’s life, a specific story, and we’ll discover what word emerges. And, because David is credited with having written so many of the Psalms, we will include a responsive Psalm reading each Sunday; but note, we will be using paraphrases of the psalms, from Nan Merrill’s Psalms For Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness.
June 21: “Confronting Our Enemies”
I Samuel 17:1-51; Psalm 91
The story of Goliath
June 28: “A Time for Tears”
I Sam.31:1-7, II Sam.1:1-27; Psalm 42
David lamenting the death of Saul and Jonathan
July 5: “Dancing for God”
II Samuel 5:1-5, 6:1-5, 16-19; Psalm 24
David becomes King and brings the “Ark of God” to Jerusalem
July 12: “Where God Resides”
II Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 84
David is told he is not to build the temple.
July 19: “He Saw Her Bathing on the Roof”
II Samuel 11:1-27; Psalm 53
David falls for Bathsheba.
July 26: “You Are the Man”
II Samuel 11:26-12:1-13a; Psalm 51
The prophet Nathan confronts David
Aug. 2: “Things Fall Apart”
II Samuel 18: 5-9, 15, 31-33 and 19:1-8a; Psalm 77
David’s son Absalom is killed.
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