The Hellenistic Widow

I mentioned the tragic David and Bathsheba adultery-murder story in a prior post , it’s an ugly tale that still manages to shock even this unshockable generation. But, as Paul Harvey used to say, what about the REST of the story? Let’s learn some “fight like a girl” tactics from a disenfranchised wife who contended for her son’s rights in the face of some extreme circumstances. | A little backstory | I won’t go into the sordid details (you can review them in 2 Samuel 11), but we can summarize the whole mess by saying King David spied on a pretty lady taking a rooftop bath, ordered her to come to him, got her pregnant, and had her husband (one of his famous mighty men!!) murdered in a vain cover-up attempt. After being confronted by Nathan the prophet, King David confessed his sin and accepted sad death of their firstborn as the Lord’s righteous chastisement. David promised Bathsheba that Solomon, their next son, would inherit the throne. Okay, now you’re up to speed. We pick up the...

  Quiz time! Quick, name this Biblical character: Impulsive, self-important, loud-mouthed, passionate, quick with a weapon, over-confident, and actually rebukes his leader. Got it? Okay, name this one. Ready to call down destruction and judgment on his enemies, ambitious, zealous, loyal, power-hungry, one of two fiery brothers. Got it? If you said, “Easy-peasy…that’s Peter and John,” I’d have to say “Natural mistake, but, oh, sorry, here’s a lovely consolation prize!” Our mystery men are actually Joab and Abishai, brothers we meet as we move through 2 Samuel. ( You may recall my odd fascination with Joab from this post ). But it’s actually Zeruiah, their hidden figure parent, we’ll be discussing today. If you’re scratching your head at that name, let me refresh your memory. | Crazy sons of… | Anyone in earshot of King David would eventually hear him say, with gusto, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah?” At first, I assumed this was an oath of some kind, like saying ...