Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalm 59:11 (New Living Translation)

Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons;
stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees,
O Lord our shield.

David is praying to God to punish the enemies of Israel. Note that David doesn’t want God to kill them enemies, but instead stagger them and bring them to their knees.

Death would be quick, and the Israelites would soon forget the enemies. A long, slower punishment would keep the punished enemies in the sight of the Israelites. David wanted such long suffering as a lesson to his people.

Sometimes I wonder about David and his wisdom or at least I wonder about his compassion.