It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Choosing violence, a reflection on 2 Samuel 18:31-33

John Hayes in the excellent Preaching through the Christian Year B raises the issue of the decision that Joab had to make. By killing Absalom, he protected the king and kingdom from the usurper, but Absalom was the king's son, a beloved son.

Hayes reminds us that we continue to wrestle with the ambiguities of moral decisions, balancing our desire to protect one set of needs against another's. Joab's motives were complex and, so, sometimes, are ours.

No comments: