When we were young, some of us had access to a book called Stories of the Bible.
Among other things, the book was about some well-known events of the Old Testament, and it was filled with vivid illustrations of the different scenes.
One of them was the story of the young shepherd, David, and Goliath, the giant.
A fascinating narrative which was easy to visualize and to remember! (1 Samuel 17:40-51).
The 1st reading of today’s celebration (1 Samuel 26:2,7-9,12-13,22-23) gives us to meet this personage – David – now grown up, and we find him in a totally different situation.
He is running away from King Saul whose authority has now been rejected by the Lord (as we are told in other texts: 1 Samuel 18:12; 1 Samuel 23:19-23).
The scene presents a unique situation for David: he is given the occasion of killing the man wo wants to destroy him.
Abishai, one of David’s soldiers who accompanies him, is ready to kill Saul immediately.
Amazingly, David tells him not to do so:
“Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?”
In this day and age, when the news broadcast and other media show us so much violence, so many scenes or carnage, this narrative has much to impress us with.
It can impress us, yes, and it can also challenge us.
David respected the dignity of a fellow human being, and the dignity of someone originally chosen by God to lead his people.
The attitude of David exemplifies the best that a human being can be as he mirrors God’s own compassion.
The Lord had put his faith in the Lord leaving it to him to render justice:
“The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness.”
That was enough for him.
Placed is similar circumstances, should it not be enough for us too?…
Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/7e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2025/
Source: Images: https://mythologica.fr/biblique/goliath (David Tissot)
https://www.newlife.org/todays-reading-from-the-one-year-bible-may-20-1-samuel-26