I must confess in my years of studying the Bible, I have not been a big fan of King David. He seems to have a pampered relationship with God, doing whatever he wants without the consequences others suffer. David commits adultery and has the woman’s husband murdered. He disobeys God’s command not to take a census, and as a result the people—not the king—bear the brunt of the punishment. David’s later life is marked by dissolute living.
True, he suffers the loss of his beloved Absalom, son of the adulterous relationship with Bathsheba—and David grieves. But in much of the story David bounces back again and again. God keeps forgiving him. In recent years, however, my attitude has changed. I’ve begun to realize how my harsh verdict on David is the way I would treat him. I judge others and myself the same way. So often, I do not imitate God’s forgiveness, even though like David, I have been forgiven and offered other chances—many, many times.
The biblical stories of Advent present Jesus as the Son of David. Matthew’s story of Joseph’s dream in today’s Gospel helps reinforce that connection. Unlike his ancestor, Jesus is sinless. He embodies the forgiveness of God that was lavished on King David, and he brings that same forgiveness to us.
—adapted from the book Advent with the Saints: Daily Reflections
by Greg Friedman, OFM
