Beyond the Lectionary: Unveiling the Full Picture of David's Transfer of Power
1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 - Thursday, Feb 1, 2024 - 4th Week in Ordinary Time
Our reading today is concerned with transferring power from David to his son Solomon. But, as is often the case, certain parts of the narratives are omitted. Our liturgists decided that we should not hear the part that portrays David in an unflattering light. In 1 Kings 2:1-4, David encourages Solomon to be strong and show himself a man, urging him to observe God's commandments and walk in His ways. In 1 Kings 2:5-9, however, David instructs Solomon to deal with certain individuals, including Joab, who had shed innocent blood, and Shimei, who had cursed David during his time of distress.
The exhortation in 1 Kings 2:1-4 emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's statutes, which, according to David, would secure a prosperous and enduring reign for Solomon and his descendants. But, the scholars point to a difference between David's conditional promise and God's unconditional promise. David says to Solomon: "If your sons so conduct themselves that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart and with their whole soul, you shall always have someone of your line on the throne of Israel" (1 Kings 2:4). But earlier the Lord spoke to David his love would never be taken away from David's descendent, even if he did wrong him (see 2 Samuel 7:11-16).
David urges his son to observe God's "statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses" (1 Kings 2:3). Most scholars see here a reference to the book of Deuteronomy that includes laws concerning Israel's Kings (see Deut 17:14-20). Unfortunately, Solomon broke most of those decrees and laws which led to a split of David's kingdom into two kingdoms: of Judea and Israel. But, it is worth noticing that the book of Deuteronomy together with Psalms and the book of Isaiah is the most quoted in the New Testament. For example, all the answers given by Jesus to Satan during his retreat in the desert came from that book (see Matt 4:1-11). Thus, we can also benefit from reading that book.
The omitted part of the narratives - 1 Kings 2:5-9 - that deals with administering justice to Joab and Shimei reveals two traits of David. On the one hand, he is concerned with potential challenges to Solomon's rule and his desire for a stable and secure succession. On the other hand, he neither forgot nor forgave the wrong that was done to him and his people by these two individuals. But, the king also remembered Barzillai the Gileadite, who stood by his side and assisted him in his time of need (see 2 Sam. 19:32-40). This deliberate omission challenges us to pick up the Bible and read it by ourselves. Only in this way, we can see the complexities of biblical characters with their virtues and flaws.
The Catholic liturgical reading cycle is divided into three main cycles: the Cycle of Readings for Sundays, Weekdays, and Seasons and Feasts. These cycles are designed to cover a significant portion of the Bible over the liturgical year, allowing the faithful to engage with a variety of biblical texts and themes. However, it is essential to recognize that these liturgical cycles, while comprehensive, do not encompass the entirety of the Bible. Therefore, individual engagement with the Scriptures remains indispensable. Personal reading of the Bible can help us fill the gaps and deepen our connection with the Word of God.