We’ve all heard the story of David and Bathsheba. David is standing on top of his palace and looks out to see Bathsheba bathing on her rooftop. Wait. Her rooftop? Where did we get that? I had always heard she was on her rooftop bathing promiscuously in clear view from David’s palace. Go back and read 2 Samuel 11:2-4 again.
David’s character and virtue are contrasted with Saul’s vice and downfall. David is insignificant to his family and to Israel. The opening scene of chapter 11 is Samuel going to Bethlehem in search of a new king. The prophet life must be a lonely one. The elders of Bethlehem trembled when they met Samuel asking if he has come in peace. The stage is set from the beginning as God says to Samuel, “Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel begins at the end of the time of the Judges. We’ve mentioned many times before about how bad Israel has gotten… “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” The reality is, they have always had a king but refuse to allow Him to be King. Israel is now in conflict with the Philistines and their relationship with God is probably more along superstition levels more than covenant.
Ruth is such a wonderful story but we often miss the significance of this book; other than Ruth being in the lineage of David and Jesus. The story of Ruth takes place during the time of the Judges and was possibly written by Samuel around the end of his life. While the events in the story are based on true events, the book of Ruth seems to be written as an allegory to shed light on Israel’s failings and open their eyes to who they are called to be. There is a lot of imagery going on in this story so I just want to hit some highlights that really stuck out to me.
Judges was one of my favorite books growing up. The characters were incredible as they came to live in the picture books and flannel graphs I was exposed to. Judges is another example of how we have held on to simplified teachings from our childhood. Judges is a disturbing book of violence and tragedy as we see Israel let go of their identity of being God’s people and become the Canaanites they were supposed to drive out of the land.
There is so much that happens in chapter 6, “Wandering” and it is hard to touch on every element. Reading through this chapter, and through this section of scripture, it is easy to get wrapped up in God seeming to constantly be angry. Take a moment to remember why God is in a mood. Do you see any grace in this chapter?
God gives stipulations for their relationship. This has bothered people in the past about God. If He loves His people, why would He force them into a certain kind of relationship? Should there be stipulations on relationships? How do wedding vows capture the kind of relationship God is creating with His people?
