Hello friends! I hope you are doing wonderful this day and I am so thankful to have you join me for todays reading. The drama between David and Saul begins to reach a boiling point making for some really exciting reading these next few days. I think you are going to enjoy this story! If you are willing share with me your favorite part of this in the comments below or shoot me a private email with any further questions or thoughts you have at ngliha@chagrinfallsumc.org
Scripture to Read
Audio Bible
I guess this was unedited and I said some colorful language lolol. My b yo.
Questions to Consider
What does this reveal to you about God?
What does this reveal to you about humanity?
Do you feel sympathetic for Saul at all? Why or why not?
What about the psalm sticks out to you or relates to our primary reading?
Does David remind you of Jesus in anyway?
- My Thoughts -
Recently I had just watched Netflix's adaption of the book Hillbilly Elegy, which isn't getting the best of reviews right now but I personally found the film really moving. If you haven't seen it here is the basic premise. A young boy grows up on the border of Appalachia in Kentucky. His mom is abusive, not because she is inherently evil but she struggles with addiction and her own insecurities. Anyways, the boy wants to escape the cycle of poverty of his rural home and with the guidance of his grandmother he learns the discipline to go to Yale and eventually to law school. As an older man he returns home because his mom relapses. He tries to help her but eventually must let her go so he can pursue his own dreams.
This story reminds me of Saul and David in many ways. I honestly feel bad for Saul. I don't excuse his actions and his abuse towards David and his own son, but I recognize the signs of trauma here. As is the case with many homeless people in our own culture it often only takes one mistake or one relapse to hit rock bottom. Saul made one mistake with God and God abandoned him. Saul in his own depression and anxiousness becomes obsessive with his own redemption that anger gets the best of him and he hurts those that love him the most.
I imagine at least one of you reading this grew up in a family where you had a Saul. Someone who hurt people because they were hurting themselves. We can never forgive abuse, but we can be like David and not return pain for pain. We can also let go of any shame we have for letting go of family for our own health. You'll see more of that tomorrow. For now, we pray for those with trauma. I hope you'll pray with me.
Prayer:
Most merciful God,
bless all who have suffered trauma
in their lives.
Support them with love
during their time of shock.
Grace them with peace
as they wrestle with the challenges
of each day.
Sustain them in hope
as they prepare for the days ahead.
Amen.
I have this image of David playing the harp and dancing around and not even noticing when Saul throws a spear at him twice. I'm also imagining that David is bad at the harp, like comically bad, and that Saul has terrible aim.
Serves me right for falling behind, I miss out on all the fun, haha