Pentecost 11
August 16. 2009

Scripture Introductions
by Stewart Clarke

(There is quite a bit in parentheses or brackets[2], as:  (), and even in [] within the ()!  
Some of it is to fill in some of the intense and exciting story that otherwise would be skipped.  
Some of it is just my rambling and rumbling.  You may want to skip these remarks, 
or you may find them helpful and want to share at least some of them!  
You know, of course, that I expect you to correct, add, delete, and so on, 
to make the introductions appropriate to honouring the Bible reading 
as well as the interest and intelligence of your congregation.)

Our Older Testament reading takes us into I Kings, the third of the books 
about the Jewish Kingdom.    We had book one, (I Samuel) with a focus 
to a great extent on Saul, then (in II Samuel) one about David.  But David died. 
On his deathbed, he received Bathsheba and Nathan, who reminded 
or convinced him that Solomon would be a better king than Adonijah.   
And so it was. Solomon ruled.

(Solomon was not the first in line for the throne. Adonijah, in fact, 
was already celebrating, when Bathsheba[3], and then Nathan, 
reported the celebration to the dying king.   Within moments, 
David arranged for Solomon to be anointed, enthroned, and acclaimed.   
Thus there were then two celebrations taking place at the same time.  
When Adonijah heard, he ran for sanctuary in the Temple.  His guests fled for their lives.    
Adonijah sought clemency from his new king[4], and Solomon's first decision 
was to spare Adonijah's life, "if he proves himself an honourable man."   
So, for the time being, Adonijah lived.[5] )

As David was seen as an ideal king, so was Solomon, in his own way.  
But he was a politician or statesman, as well.  Knowing the influence 
of the agricultural religion in the land, he celebrated in the Ba'al tradition 
on the "high places."  Even so, God's grace was with him, 
sealed with a powerful dream that characterized his reign.

(Ba'al, by the way, is linked with "lord," and "husband," suggestive of fertility rituals.  
"High places" may remind us of the Psalm: "I will lift up mine eyes to the hills," 
with the decision, "My help comes from the Lord!"   "Adonijah" says: "My lord is the Lord," 
" my lord is YHWH." [Many would simply say, "My Lord is Yahweh."  
My understanding is that among faithful Jews, the personal name of God 
is too holy to pronounce, and I feel convinced that we should not easily use a Name 
that is so holy to our spiritual cousins.  One way around it is to use the word 
"Adonai," [6] which means "my heavenly Lord".  The earthly lord equivalent is "adoni" [7], 
which is the first part of the name of Adonijah.])

Let's listen to the story, as told in:

1 Kings 2: 10-12; 3:3 - 14.

And we may say something like, May the Spirit help us to see both human and holy in these words.



The Psalm speaks of praising God for all that God has done, in creation, 
in God's covenant, and in saving the people and feeding them.  
The last verse speaks of wisdom, as founded in awe, 
echoing Solomon's dream.  Wisdom leads to humility, rather than pride.

Let's..

Ps. 111(VU 833)



The Epistle reading calls us to a life of sober wisdom,[8] usually both mental and moral, 
which may remind us of the wisdom Solomon sought.[9] (This may also remind us 
of Paul's reference to "fools for Christ's sake." I understand that the Pauline authorship 
is in question.  If so, I would like to think that Philemon wrote it!)
 
Let's listen attentively to the message in:

Ephesians 5: 15 - 20

May the Spirit help us hear, appreciate and follow useful advice when we hear it.



The Gospel reading continues last Sunday's account of Jesus' speaking of himself 
as nourishment for his followers.   He had referred to being nourished by doing God's will.  
Now, he presents himself, and the Sacrament of Communion, as vital to Christian life. 
(John makes a point of saying that he said this in Capernaum, 
often considered his chosen town on the shore of the Lake of Galilee.)

(There is little to suggest that Jesus spoke these precise words, or the Aramaic words 
which were translated into Greek and eventually into our English.   
This Gospel preserves for us the deep insight and spirituality of the Community 
of Christians influenced by John.   While there are historical elements considered 
at least as accurate as the other Gospels, called Synoptic because they see things 
in similar ways, John lays before us a profound appreciation of the importance 
of Jesus Christ for our spiritual identity and journey.  Taken literally, 
what Jesus is reported saying about his flesh would be arrant heresy.  
Taken to refer to his Spirit and the Sacrament which speaks of him 
and for him, it is a powerful message to s.  )

Let us rise to honour and be open to the Good News for us in:
Or: Let us listen closely for the Good News for us in:

John 6: 51-58

May the Spirit help us receive and inwardly digest Jesus' words and gift of life.

It is appropriate to follow the readings with thanks and ascriptions of praise.

Notes:

  With thanks to CAM.
  Which is which, and where, and when?
  At Nathan's prompting!  You will remember Nathan as the prophet 
who challenged David about his dealing with Uriah and Bathsheba.
  Through Bathsheba! BTW, it is well worth reading the whole story 
and researching its twists!
  Unfortunately, for him, he can't leave well enough alone, and asks 
for the hand of Abishag, who had 'warmed David's bones' in his dying days!  
This was proof enough to Solomon that he still had aspirations.
  Ad-OWN-eye.
  Ad-Own-ee.
  If your translation includes the word "men" in verse 15, 
it is an unnecessary intrusion.
  I have found no suggestion that their times were especially evil, 
which suggests that we always need to be wise.


(Comments to Stew at stewclarke@eastlink.ca.)