Day 120: David mourns saul

The Two Books of the Chronicles

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(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)



2 Samuel 1:1-27 This book continues the narrative of 1 Samuel, which ended with the death of Saul. David learned of Saul’s death from an Amalekite who claimed to have killed the wounded king at his own request; this contrasts with 1 Samuel, which reports that Saul committed suicide. David responded with grief and with an order to slay the Amalekite for having killed the anointed king. His mournful song, more patriotic than religious in tone, paid tribute to Saul and his son Jonathan.


Ch 1:11-12 Took hold of his clothes and tore them: To tear one’s own garments was a sign of intense grief or outrage. The origin of this act is not clear, but it was still common centuries later in the time of Christ. For example, at the trial of Christ before the Sanhedrin (POP QUIZ!! What does “Sanhedrin” mean? Answer in the Comment Section of the Facebook Group Post 😁), the high priest tore his garments in outrage at Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah (cf. Mk 14:61-63); both Paul and Barnabas ripped their garments when the people of Lystra began to slip back into idolatrous practices (cf. Acts 14:12-17).


Fasted: Another act of mourning is the abstention from food. Fasting is a traditional practice of repentance and self-denial; the Church requires fasting on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and for one hour before receiving Holy Communion as well as recommending the practice on other occasions. (CCC 1430, 1434, 1969, 2043)


1 Chronicles 1-9 The first nine chapters of this book comprise what is essentially the family tree of Judaism. Chapter 1 lists the genealogies from Adam to both Israel (Jacob) and Esau; the eight chapters that follow offer the genealogies of the sons of Israel. Special attention is given to the descendants of Judah and Benjamin, the primary tribes of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, for it is through Judah that David’s dynasty began. Some historical details are presented regarding key battles or events involving each of the tribes. There are minor differences between these genealogies and those found elsewhere in Scripture, but they accomplish the same basic objective: they show that the remnants of the Twelve Tribes of Israel are heirs to the promises God made to Abraham and the pre-eminence of the line of David and the city of Jerusalem in Israel’s history. They stress Israel’s identity and unity as God’s Chosen People who will always enjoy his blessing provided they are faithful to his covenant. This clear notion was foremost in their minds as many of the people of Judah returned to the Promised Land after their exile in Babylon.


Psalm 13 The psalmist again was burdened by sorrow and sought refuge before God’s face for deliverance from his troubles and the rebuke of his enemies. His greatest suffering, though, was in God’s apparent absence. In the end, the psalmist consoled himself by remembering God’s faithfulness and reminding himself of his salvation, for which he praises God. The psalm as a whole bears witness to the value of PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER. (CCC 231, 2573, 2742)

(*The Didache Bible RSV-CE Ignatius Edition, 2006)


The Reign of David 


The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble gird on strength … He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. (1 Sam 2:4, 8) 


(*Walking With God: A Journey Through The Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins)




Prayer by Fr. Mike: “Father in Heaven we give you thanks and praise. We thank you for all of the ways that you have interacted with us. And for the course of our lives, God, you have guided us. You strengthened us. You protected us. You have lifted us up when we have fallen down. You have forgiven us when we’ve needed your mercy. And you have continually led us to this moment in our lives, whether we are 14 years old and listening to your Word or whether we are 94 years old and listening to your Word. Lord God, every one of our breaths have been a gift from you, that we didn't deserve. Every heartbeat has been a gift from you that we did nothing to earn. They have all been gifts. And even if our hearts stop beating at 14, or our hearts stop beating today, every heartbeat, every breath up to this moment will have been a gift from you. And so we thank you for all the unseen ways in which you have guided our lives, all the unseen ways in which you have protected us, all the potential dangers and potential ways in which we could have fallen and we could have been destroyed. And yet, here we are today able to listen to your Word, able to receive your love, and able to love you in return. We thank you for this, and please help us to have that lens, the lens that no day is earned, but every day is a gift. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”