Midweek Devotion for 10 July 2024

Reading

2 Samuel 6:16

As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

Devotion

David and Michal / David e Micol // 1865 // Virginio Grana // Museo dell'Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti

This week's painting may be found in Genoa, Italy.  Created by a talented, but rather obscure artist, Virginio Grana (1830-1888), it portrays an event early on in the ill-fated marriage of David to Saul's youngest daughter, Michal.  I find it fascinating that the artist captures Michal gazing adoringly at David as he plays his harp while David stares heavenward, not at her.  David may be playing for the Lord, but we know he also has a wandering eye (see 2 Samuel 11:2).

Michal and David's story is a short story of a romance that goes wrong.  I would encourage reading the whole story.  Notice the two window scenes, the second of which is described in the verse above.   In the first one Michal moves decisively to save David.  In the course of her story, Michal moves from an agent of salvation to a commodity given and taken.  She moves from adoration of her beloved to contempt.  David rebukes her as well and her tale ends in barrenness and isolation.

In comparing notes with an attorney friend, we both shared that in our talking with people, when there is contempt in the way one or both treat each other, the relationship, more times than not, is doomed.  How differently Michal beholds David in the painting from how she does in the verse near the end of her part of the story.  I have another friend who made the observation that when people are treated as things disaster usually follows.  

It is hard spiritual work to make fitting and loving responses when we are treated poorly, especially by people who we look up to.  The Hebrew poet Rachel Bluwstein (1890-1931) gives a sense of this in her poem, "Michal" the final stanza of which reads:

    More than once I have seen you standing fixed by the small window

    In your beautiful eye pride and tenderness are mingled 

    Michal, distant sister, like you, I’m sad.

    Like you, condemned to despise the one I love.

Prayer 

O God, you have bound us together in a common life.  Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 824)