A Woman From Tekoa Confronts King David

Text: Romans 14:7-12

Reflection and Question: This wise woman does not even merit a name though she has immense courage to take on the job given by David’s right hand man, Joab. Amnon, David’s son, has raped his sister, Tamar. Absalom avenges his sister by killing Amnon and flees in fear of the wrath of his father, David. (Afternoon soaps have nothing over David’s story!) Like Nathan in the case of Bathsheba, this woman from Tekoa tells a story parallel to David’s actions in order to bring to light the right thing to do. In both cases David listens and agrees. Who has been like the woman of Tekoa for you, illuminating the right path and challenging you to take it?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, give us the grace of wise messengers like the wise woman of Tekoa. Give us the ears to hear those who comment on what we have done and what we ought to do. And give us a heart like David’s that can admit what is right. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).