COMPASSIONATE KING - C: Solemnity of Christ the King

First Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-3 (20 November 2022)

“For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel” (2 Sam 5:2).

At this point, David’s political archrival Saul had already died in a kind of suicide at the threshold of his defeat to the Philistines (cf. 1 Sam 31:4). His sons and legal heirs to the throne—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchischua—had perished ahead of him in this same battle (v. 2). After this tragedy, the remaining surviving son of Saul was Ishbaal, to whom Abner (Saul’s general) gave his allegiance. In fact, Abner, “made him king over Gilead, the Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, and over all Israel” (2 Sam 2:9). With Ishbaal’s installation, the Israelites were divided, wherein Ishbaal “reigned for two years” over Israel, while “David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah … [for] seven years and six months” (v. 11).

This divide led to “a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David; [but] David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker” (2 Sam 3:1). The days that followed brought the fall of Ishbaal’s reign. First, Abner defected from the house of Saul to support David instead (vv. 9-10); David warmly accepted him and acceded to his covenant of allegiance (vv. 20-21). Yet, Abner was murdered by his rival Joab, who had been enraged by his admission into David’s circle (vv. 24-25; 30). Second, Ishbaal also met his death when he was murdered by the Benjaminite Baanah and Rechab, who were captains of Saul’s raiding bands (cf. 4:2; 6).

Apparently, the whole of Israel had been dismayed at Ishbaal’s weak leadership, especially after the defection and death of his political architect Abner (cf. v. 1).

If this series of events were happening in today’s global context, any power-hungry politician would be very happy that all his/her rivals passed away one by one. Ordinarily, David would have been pleased to gain full control of Israel without any sweat nor effort. He would have rejoiced at the death of Saul and Abner, who in the whole course of their leadership, had sought his life, chasing him relentlessly as an Israelite fugitive.

He would have celebrated, too, at the deceases of Saul’s legitimate successors. However, David was no traditional shrewd politician!

Surprisingly, David wept at the death of Saul and his children by taking “hold of his clothes and tore them; and all the men who were with him did the same. They mourned and wept, and fasted until evening…” (2 Sam 1:11-12). He also lamented at the murder of Abner even if he had been his persecutor for a long period; he subsequently reprimanded Joab, his executor, and commanded him, “Tear your clothes, and put on sackcloth, and mourn over Abner” (3:31). Likewise, he was very displeased at the ambush of his remaining rival to power, Ishbaal, ordering in turn the execution of those who had struck him (cf. 4:12). There survived still the crippled son of Jonathan, whose name was Mephibosheth, who technically had a legitimate claim to the throne (cf. 9:1-3). Instead of executing him, David took him to his palace in such a way that “Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons” (v. 11).

In sum, David’s reign is marked by mercy, compassion, love, and unity. He desired peace and harmony, and was more than willing to embrace the conversion of his enemies. His example of magnanimity becomes, then, a prototype for all leaders in our societal communities. May we similarly promote the same values and mentality in our dealings with each other.

- Rex Fortes, CM