Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Kings 11:14-16 (New Living Translation)

14 Then the Lord raised up Hadad the Edomite, a member of Edom’s royal family, to be Solomon’s adversary. 15 Years before, David had defeated Edom. Joab, his army commander, had stayed to bury some of the Israelite soldiers who had died in battle. While there, they killed every male in Edom. 16 Joab and the army of Israel had stayed there for six months, killing them.

Joab—the commander of David’s army—had stayed in the land of Edom for six months killing every male. Joab stayed and stayed and killed, killed, and killed some more. This was all in accordance with King David, God’s king.

I have never felt that God wanted me to go somewhere and kill, kill, and kill some more. What a blessed life I have. What a blessed Father and God of all. What a blessed age of grace. God, help me each day to be somehow worthy of Your blessings.