Tell it not in Gath

Haiku of lament

King Saul and three sons

lie slain on the battlefield;

David’s grief-stricken.

He leads the lament

for Saul and for Jonathan;

the mighty, fallen.

Tell it not in Gath!

Let’s not give our enemies

cause to celebrate.

Let the land languish,

forgotten by rain and dew,

let it mourn with us.

Saul and Jonathan,

much loved, united in death

as they were in life.

Swifter than eagles,

stronger than lions; weep loud,

Israel’s daughters.

My heart aches for you,

my brother; your love to me

passed that of women!

© Ken Rookes 2024

Legendary Tales

Haiku for rivals

Legendary tales

of wars, battles and giants,

and a boy hero.

King Saul honours and

promotes him. The boy succeeds

in all of his tasks.

David plays music

to soothe the erratic king;

doesn’t always work.

God was with David,

no longer favouring Saul.

Saul did what he could.

Army commander

David is sent off to fight,

returns in triumph.

The Lord was with him

and the people loved David;

they will follow him.

Saul has good reason

to fear. David has emerged

as a real rival.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Take your oil and anoint him

Haiku of choosing

Saul disobeyed God,

so the ancient story goes;

limits the slaughter.

This ancient notion

of a ruthless God, disturbs;

leads us to question.

. . .

Saul was rejected.

God told Samuel, the Judge,

to choose a new king.

Fill your horn with oil,

go to the house of Jesse;

it’s at Bethlehem.

One of Jesse’s sons

is destined to be made king.

I have chosen him.

If Saul hears of it

I’m dead meat! Take a heifer;

make a sacrifice.

The elders come out

from Bethlehem. They’re trembling.

Have you come in peace?

I make sacrifice

to God. Come, join me. You too,

Jesse; and your sons.

The first, Eliab,

came before him. Surely he

is God’s anointed!

But no; for God looks

not upon a man’s stature,

but upon his heart.

In all, seven sons

are brought before Samuel.

Is there another?

The youngest, David,

is with the sheep. Send for him,

we’ll wait ‘til he comes.

The lad was ruddy.

Take your oil and anoint him;

he’s the one, says God.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Give us a king!

 Haiku of rejection

Sons bringing disgrace

upon families; Eli,

and now Samuel.

Samuel, you’re old

and your sons don’t follow God;

now give us a king!

Samuel’s annoyed;

they want a king to rule them

like other nations.

The ageing judge prays.

God answers him, It’s not you;

they’ve rejected me..

From the very start

they rejected me as king;

after all I did!

Listen to their voice,

but warn them what kings are like;

let it be on them.

You want a king? Fine!

He’ll take your sons for soldiers;

and much more as well!

They weren’t listening.

Give us a king to lead us

out into battle!

© Ken Rookes 2024

Listening and Telling

 

The first part of this sequence of haiku was published in January. I have reprinted it here, along with the second part published now. Together they tell the whole story of the boy Samuel’s encounter with God

Here I am

Haiku for a call

There, in the Temple

at Shiloh, boy Samuel

served under Eli.

For many years now

God has been silent. No word,

no visions, either.

Samuel, resting

in the temple, with the ark

of God, heard a voice.

Samuel! The voice

called twice. Here I am, he said,

and ran to Eli.

I did not call you,

said Eli. Lie down again.

This happened three times.

Eli realised

that ‘twas God calling the boy;

told Sam what to say.

The Lord came once more,

calling, Samuel! The boy

said, Speak, I’m list’ning..

When you’re just a kid

it must be daunting when God

calls you by your name.

Listening and telling

Haiku of punishment

Now he knows the rules

boy Samuel is able

to listen to God.

Bad news for Eli;

the corruption of his sons

has not gone unseen.

Punishment is nigh

for Eli’s house; there’s no way

he can avoid it.

Samuel’s anxious,

tries to keep it to himself,

doesn’t tell Eli.

Eli’s insistent.

What did the Lord say to you?

Hide nothing from me.

Samuel told all.

Fair enough, said Eli. God

will do what he must.

No point pretending,

Your deeds will catch up to you,

eventually.

© Ken Rookes 2024

Who will go for us?

Haiku for a calling.

A wondrous vision,

surprising, of God’s glory,

there, in the temple.

Isaiah sees God

high, upon God’s lofty throne,

seraphs attending.

Six wings per seraph,

two shielding face, two the feet,

and two giving flight.

The seraphs call; ‘Holy

to the Lord of hosts; the earth

fills with God’s glory!

The building shakes, filled

with incense smoke. Isaiah,

trembling, cries in fear.

Woe is me; I’m lost!

Sinfulness overwhelms me,

yet I have seen God!

A seraph flies down

with a coal from the altar,

touched it to his lips.

This has touched your lips

Your guilt is taken away,

your sin blotted out.

The Lord’s voice calls out:

Whom shall I send? He answers

Here am I; send me!

© Ken Rookes 2024

Suddenly a roar!

 Pentecost haiku

Seven week had passed.

His friends were all together,

gathered in one place.

Suddenly a roar

of rushing wind filled the house;

tongues of flame, resting.

Filled with the Spirit,

their tongues were released, speaking

other languages.

Outside in the street

the crowd from many nations

hear in their own speech.

They’re from Galilee,

yet we understand, as they

speak of God’s power!

Some ask, What means this?

Others scoff, sneering: they’re drunk

on too much new wine.

Peter stands up, speaks:

It’s too early to be drunk;

only nine a.m!

In the prophet, Joel,

we read how God will pour God’s

Spirit on all flesh.

Young folk, old folk, slaves,

men and women; they shall dream

dreams and see visions.

It is coming near,

the Lord’s day; when all who call

on God’s name are saved.

© Ken Rookes 2024