David and Bathsheba

*** Narrative Lectionary *** Lectionary Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-27; 12:1-9 CLASSIC POEM: Devotion to Duty Siegfried Sassoon I was near the King that day. I saw him snatch And briskly scan the G.H.Q. dispatch. Thick-voiced, he read it out. (His face was grave.) ‘This officer advanced with the first wave, ‘And when our first objective had been gained, ‘(Though wounded twice), reorganized the line: ‘The spirit of the troops was by his fine ‘Example most effectively sustained.’ He gripped his beard; then closed his eyes and said, ‘Bathsheba must be warned that he is dead. ‘Send for her. I will be the first to tell ‘This wife how her heroic husband fell.’ *** This poem is in the public domain, and may be read in a live-streamed worship service. CONTEMPORARY POEM: Bathsheba Rebecca Guess Cantor SNIPPET: I washed myself on the roof, shrouded by a haze of flowers— not provocative, just charming and plain in my nakedness. … [ READ THE FULL POEM ]