“His speech is softer than butter, but war is in his heart. His words are smoother than oil, but they are drawn swords.”

Psalm 55:22-23 directly addresses Ahithopel’s betrayal of David. Many biblical scholars assert that David’s sin with Bathsheba had further reaching consequences, deeper divides than the obvious. In 2 Samuel, Absalom—David’s third son—has attempted to usurp his father’s throne. Successful for a moment, and to cement his reign, he is urged by Ahithopel to lay with David’s concubines. There were ten left there to look after the house (2 Samuel 15). Here’s what’s interesting about all of this: When David took Bathsheba and had Uriah (her husband) killed, Nathan—a prophet—told David that what he did angered the Lord. God vowed to punish David, saying, “I will raise up trouble against you from within your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this very sun.” (2 Samuel 12:11).

Ahithopel was David’s counselor and friend. But the betrayal of David had rooted hatred in his friend’s heart and being clever, he played the long game. He advised Absalom in his attempted coup and then told him to sleep with all his concubines—a fulfillment of Nathan’s decree from the Lord.

Actions have consequences, both earthly and divine. David repented for his sin against God and was forgiven. Yet, not without consequence. For his actions, God told David that the “sword would never depart from your house”. David killed Uriah by means of war—putting him at the fore of the fighting with swords. In turn, God puts the sword into the hands of David’s enemies forever. This explains much about the constant wars in which David fought and marshaled throughout his reign. It also could point toward the present-day plight of Israel.

Since I’ve been alive, I have never known a peaceful Israel. Through the decades, there always seems to be a war going on. Today, Israel and the U.S. bombed Iran. Your mileage may vary on whether this is warranted or not—I’ll not be addressing that, as I have my own thoughts. Yet I wonder at the placement of Psalm 55 on today of all days, in morning prayer. Is God still fulfilling His promise of the perpetual sword in Israel? Perhaps. Are the honeyed words of a trusted fellow echoing through the ages? Ahithopel said one thing to David and did another. The current leader of this country said we would back away from warmongering and focus on home. Yet we have been embroiled in conflicts across the globe for the past year.

We learn much from being biblically literate. One of those learnings is this: History shows us the ‘why’ of today. Are we repeating the mistakes of old, allowing people to speak out of both sides of their mouth? I hope we can choose leadership better. The last decades have shown that we continue to believe what they say, yet we are continuously let down by their actions. Whether they be kings or presidents, men are fallible and the people they lead have short memories. Therefore, Psalm 55 calls to us, currently. Is our prayer one of violence and celebration that others are dying? Or is it more akin to the words of Psalm 55: “Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous stumble.”

Is today an act of Jus Bellum, or the continued aggression of a group bent on power? What will the consequences be from today’s actions, will other countries get involved to a point of global escalation. That is for you to decide and ponder. For me, my hope rests in the grace provided through the understanding of scripture and knowing that, if I believe what scripture says and conduct my life proportionally to its commands, I will be able to firmly stand before God. I hope our prayers are for love and not hate, peace and not constant war. God loves all His children—even the ones deemed outside His family. That means we have the obligation to carry the same love. The love that transcends the ideations and desires for power and instead seeks to unite people in love. I really believe that. I hope you do, too.

Faithfully,

Fr. Sean+