“It’s wise to be patient and show what you are like by forgiving others” (v 11).

Among these five verses which seem to have little connection with one another, we find this gem. The English Standard Version reads “Good sense makes one slow to anger.” These words are rich in meaning. I can imagine someone being “patient” while gritting their teeth, checking their watch (or iPhone).

It is impossible to rest upon the fine edge of a sword and remain intact. The very purpose of a sword is to separate.

The claim that Christ came as the Son of God, was sentenced to death and rose to life by the power of God’s hand creates a point of division on which we must fall to one side or the other. We either acknowledge this or reject it.

David had learned through years of experience that when he was desperate for God, he could overcome great obstacles. But now, he’s getting older and more settled. The kingdom is running well and David is feeling entitled to the perks of kingship.

What happens next serves to remind us that success in earthly affairs can sap spiritual awareness and vitality. When David became self-satisfied, he acted thoughtlessly and caused great pain.

It seems incredible that David could remain blind to his complicity in a terrible crime, oblivious to the grievous injuries he inflicted. Yet he did, and he’s not the only one with a problem coming to terms with his own misdeeds.

How telling that it took a storyteller to get him to see things through a proper moral lens.

King David’s son Absalom had plenty of reasons to be angry with his father. David did not act fairly as a parent. He favoured his elder sons and ignored the defiling of one of his daughters. When such family conflict was left unresolved, Absalom took matters into his own hands and murdered his own half-brother.

Absalom’s anger landed him a season in exile before David reluctantly allowed him to return to the proximity of the palace.

What happens when pragmatism comes into conflict with principle? As a king facing an armed rebellion, David fled his palace and abandoned the capital city. Propelled by fear, he left in a hurry with only the inner circle of his court to accompany him. The city was getting ready for disaster to sweep down upon it, and the king was heading for the hills.

At this bleak point, David really did not know who he could trust.

My wife and I have taken to playing this little game we call “21 Praises” on days or in moments when we feel down or are struggling. Our lives have been a bit topsy-turvy this past year with housing changes, geographical changes, job changes and becoming empty nesters. It’s not that anything has been really bad but there has been a lot of uncertainty and challenging new beginnings. At times we just find ourselves saying, “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me…until this disaster has passed” (v 1).