A Bible Verse and a Fictional Scene

For the past few months, our church pastors have been preaching a series on the Gospel as seen in the life of David. We’re nearing the end of the series. The sermons have focused on some of the highlights of David’s life, including his anointing by the prophet Samuel, the confrontation with Goliath, the growing animosity of King Saul, the friendship with Saul’s son Jonathan, David becoming king, and Bathsheba.  

Last Sunday, the sermon centered on the end of the rebellion by David’s son Absalom (2 Samuel 18). The army gathered by Absalom has been defeated and scattered; Absalom himself, trying to escape, is caught by his trademark flowing hair in the branches of a tree. He’s dangling there when found by David’s general, who wastes no time in ignoring David’s earlier command to spare Absolom’s life and putting the young man to the sword. 

 

I’m familiar with the account. I’ve read it many times, my attention caught by the image of Absalom dangling from the tree limb. It is a truism that you can read a book of the Bible, a passage, a chapter, and even a verse scores of times and not see something that will suddenly catch your attention during an additional reading.

To continue reading, please see my post today at Dancing Priest.

Photograph by Filip Zrnzevic via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Wednesday Readings

 

Wendell Berry and what it means to love a place – Fr. Michael Rennier at Aleteia. 

 

At Abbey Wood – Spitalfields Life.

 

Is offshore wind really cheaper than gas? – Steve Loftus at The Critic Magazine.

 

Ray Bradbury Unbound – Bradley Birzer.