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

Blessings upon Babylon

Haiku of reality

This is long-term, folks;

time for humiliation,

time for reflection.

They were in exile

in Babylon. The prophet

wrote them a letter.

It brought muted hope.

Make the most of it, he said.

You'll be there a while.

Work hard, build houses

to live in. And plant gardens;

eat what they produce.

Marry, have children,

give your daughters in marriage,

take wives for your sons.

Prosper and do well,

seek the city's welfare, pray

for them, your captors.

Bless your enemies.

your well-being stems from theirs;

thus God blesses you.

© Ken Rookes 2022