I am an emeritus professor from Cornell University and was a Commissioned Lay Preacher in the Presbyterian Church (USA). For many years I have followed the Daily Lectionary as printed in the Mission Yearbook of my church. For each day of a two-year cycle, the lectionary lists four psalms and three other scriptural passages--usually one from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament. My practice is to copy down a verse or two from one of the psalms and from each of the other three passages. After I have written out all four selections, I reflect upon them, rearrange their order, and incorporate them into a meditation. Sometimes I retain much of the original wording; sometimes all that remains of a selection is an idea that was stimulated when I read the original words. All selections are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. For the Daily Lectionary, see the link below.

When King David Did Not Punish Rape--August 11, 2019



I am of the earth and belong to the earth;
I speak about earthly things.
You have searched me and known me;
you know that I have tried
to put up with the failings of the weak.

This we should do, not to please ourselves,
but to build up the neighbor.
Surely there are limits to this good purpose,
limits Amnon shattered.
He should have been punished, and strongly.

Give us wisdom to know when the limits
have been exceeded,
and to know, when it is within our power,
how to act accordingly,
lest we protect the guilty at their victims’ expense.

Lectionary Readings
Ps. 103; 150; 117; 139
2 Sam. 13:1-22
Rom. 15:1-13
John 3:22-36

Selected Verses
Ps. 139:1
O LORD, you have searched me and known me. 

2 Sam. 13:1-22
When King David heard of all these things, he became very angry, but he would not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, for he was his firstborn. 

Rom. 15:1-2
We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. 

John 3:22-36
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things.

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