Not getting away with it

Haiku reminding us that even kings are not meant to be above the law.

With Uriah dead

Bathsheba mourned for him, then

moved in with David.

Bathsheba married

David, gave birth to a son.

God was not impressed.

Nathan, the prophet

shows up, and tells a story;

more a parable.

Two men, rich and poor.

Poor man has a much loved lamb;

the rich man takes it.

David is angry.

That rich man deserves to die!

He had no pity!

You’re the man, David!

God’s given you ev’rything,

you have done evil!

You had Uriah

killed, you took his wife as yours.

The Lord has judged you.

The sword will not leave

your house; you have despised me

in your wicked deeds.

From within your house,

strife; your wives will be taken

where all can witness.

You sinned in secret,

but your shame will be exposed

before all the land.

I have sinned! David

declares. Yes, but you won’t die;

God has let it go.

© Ken Rookes 2024

A man of honour

Haiku of exposure

David was a cad,

and worse; it can’t be denied.

Power, corruption.

The season of spring,

and the army is away;

what’s a king to do?

Bathing on the roof;

he saw her. She was gorgeous.

David was lustful

He enquired, found out

her name. Married? No problem,

Bring her to me, now.

You can guess the rest.

Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife,

sends word: I’m pregnant!

David pens a note

to his general, Joab.

Send me Uriah.

Tell me Uriah,

how goes the war? It goes well.

Good; go to your house!

Uriah remains

at the palace. His honour

won’t let him go home.

The ark and army

are in tents. Will I go home

and lie with my wife?

Uriah returns.

The note reads: Place at the front,

then draw back from him.

We expect better

from our leaders. King David,

you are a disgrace!

Power, honour: not

impossible partners, but

seldom together.

© Ken Rookes 2024

I make you a house

Haiku for building

The Lord gave him rest

from his enemies; David,

at last, dwells in peace.

The Ark of God stays

in a tent, he tells prophet

Nathan. It’s not right.

I shall build a house

as a dwelling place for God.

Do it! says Nathan.

Nathan has a dream.

God says, tell David I have

not asked for a house.

From Egypt travels

to now, I journeyed with my

people in a tent.

You were a shepherd;

I took you from minding sheep

and made you a king.

You shall reign in peace,

Israel shall put down roots;

they shall be secure.

I make you a house.

It shall be great; your offspring

will rule after you.

You will have a son.

I will make his kingdom great;

he will build my house.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Bringing it back

Haiku for a procession

The amazing Ark,

repository of God’s

amazing presence.

Thirty thousand men

in a splendid procession

to Jerusalem.

The cart is special,

purpose-built, to bear it from

Abinidab’s house.

David was dancing

before the Lord, along with

all of Israel.

They danced with cymbals,

tambourines, lyres, castanets,

harps and much singing.

Dancing before God,

wild and furious, wearing

a linen ephod.

From Obed-edom

to Jerusalem, with the

sound of the trumpet.

Wife, Michal, watched as

David leapt and danced. She was

very unimpressed.

The Ark is installed

in its special tent; many

offerings are made.

In the name of God

David gives a blessing; and

food for the party.

© Ken Rookes 2024 

Unification

Haiku for a kingdom

David reigned as king

of Judah, there in Hebron;

ruled for seven years.

With King Saul’s demise,

and his sons', David is left

as the most likely.

Israel’s leaders

approach David at Hebron:

We are family!

While Saul was our king

it was really you who led

us into battle.

The time has arrived

when God’s promise is fulfilled.

You shall be our king.

You’ll be a shepherd,

watching over my people,

ruling Israel.

They made covenant,

David, the elders, before

the Lord, at Hebron.

They anointed him

to rule them, to reign as king

over Israel.

Reigning in Judah

seven years, thirty-three more

over Israel.

From Jerusalem,

renamed City of David,

he ruled Israel.

Blessed by God, David

became greater and greater.

The Lord was with him.

© Ken Rookes 2024