Lection: 2 Samuel 11

August 4, 2024

2 Samuel 11:26 – 12:13a
Psalm 51:1-12
Ephesians 4:1-16

“In a Good Way”

Our Scripture readings began this morning with a text from the 2nd Book of Samuel, continuing where we left off last Sunday in the story of King David. Just in case you missed last Sunday’s sermon, you should know that David used his position and power to satisfy his own cravings at the expense of others. He slept with another man’s wife, got her pregnant, tried to cover it up, and eventually resorted to having the husband killed in battle so that David could take her as his own wife, as we read this morning.

As is very often the case, a powerful man has gotten away with rape and murder. He’s used his privilege to get rid of the people who might complain, and he’s ready to go on with his life with a new wife and child as if that was normal. That is, until we get to the latter part of verse 11 where we read: “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”

There’s no mention of Uriah’s family complaining about what King David did. And Bathsheba, who was the most deeply impacted, just mourned her husband … Read more »

July 28, 2024

2 Samuel 11:1-15
Psalm 14
John 6:1-15

“There is One”

Back in early June, during an intergenerational service, I was talking about the various kings of Israel and Judah – the human leaders of God’s people. And I remember saying that King David was generally a good king, but he also made some bad choices at times.

This morning’s passage from 2nd Samuel tells the story of one of those times. And reading it today makes me think of some of the corrupt and self-serving leaders and politicians in our world at this time as well. In case you didn’t catch what King David did in this passage, let me summarize.

The story begins with David sending his armies out into battle, but he doesn’t go with them. He stays in Jerusalem instead. While his soldiers are fighting for his kingdom, David is lazing about on his couch and walking around on his rooftop. From there, he spies on a woman who is bathing, thinks she is beautiful, and sends servants to get her so he can sleep with her. Essentially, he rapes her, as I expect she wasn’t a willing partner in the affair.

When the woman (Bathsheba) gets pregnant, David schemes to make her husband … Read more »

August 5, 2012

2 Samuel 11:26 – 12:13a
Ephesians 4:1-16

As we continue through our summer Sundays, we are following through the biblical stories about King David of Israel. I understand that Jim McKay, who filled in for me last week, preached about David and his affair with another man’s wife. And next week, Gerry Kraay will be picking up the next part of the story. Today’s reading from 2nd Samuel is not so much a time of action in David’s story as it is a moment of reflection in his life.

If you were at worship last Sunday, you will know that although David was a pretty good king, and a king who had received God’s blessing and approval, David was not always a good guy. In fact, last week we heard about what may have been the lowest point of his leadership as he had an affair with Bathsheba, another man’s wife. And then David used his political power to have her husband, Uriah, sent to the front of the battle lines where he would undoubtedly be killed. All this, so that David could take Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, to be his own wife.

It’s hard to imagine how David could believe … Read more »

August 2, 2009

Sermon by the Rev. Amanda Currie

2 Samuel 11:26 – 12:13a
Psalm 51:1-12
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:24-35

Back in February, I helped to lead an ecumenical retreat for women in ministry here in Saskatoon. The Eucharistic theme of our time together was taken from Henri Nouwen’s book, “Life of the Beloved”. We explored how our lives (as women in ministry) are taken, blessed, broken, and shared for the life of the world, as we participate in Christ’s own ministry today. As part of our time together, we decided that it would be both fun and meaningful to make bread. I had never made bread except using a bread machine, but some of the other women were at least occasional bread bakers, so we gave it a try.

We gathered in groups of 6 or 7 around tables in the dining room at Queen’s House, and took turns adding ingredients, mixing, kneading, sharing stories, and laughing a lot. And much to my surprise, our bread turned out both beautiful and delicious. We ate it together the next morning during our closing worship. It was an ecumenical “holy meal” with plenty of bread and wine to share as we celebrated our brief time together and began to think … Read more »