The first reading today is the story of King Saul of Israel, jealous of David’s rising popularity and fame, is trying to hunt down the young David and kill him, lest David become the king by popular demand. In the realm of power politics, David has his chance there in the cave to resolve the conflict, become king and turn the page of this story of intrigue. His followers are telling him to make the best of the opportunity that God has clearly laid at his feet! But David reminds himself: “The old proverb says, ‘From the wicked comes forth wickedness.’” Clearly David is someone steeped in the Word of God and would be aware of the history of wickedness.
Sacred Scripture traces the arc of wickedness in the world. We have moved from the original sin of Adam and Eve, through the first murder when Cain killed his brother Abel, and in the time of Noah we reached the point where wickedness has grown so great that God regretted his creation He once called “very good.”
Genesis 5 is often skipped as it is a long genealogy from Adam to Noah, but there are key elements to note. Cain’s lineage includes Lamech whose wickedness is noted when he says: “I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” Before the beginning of Chapter 6 we learn about the “Nephilim” who were said to be wicked heavenly beings who took humans as their wives creating a race of wicked and rebellious people. It is the story of the constantly increasing wickedness of humanity.
Despite God’s second thoughts and regrets, He remains true to his commitment to save humanity. There are consequences to our choices, but there is always a life line (or an ark!) to rescue us.
It seems to me, here on the doorstep of Lent, just as David reminds us of the trajectory of evil in the world, we are called to review the trajectory of our lives. Do we act like Lamech? Probably not. I hope not! But we do have our vengeful moments. Are we like David? Ever recognizing what God would have us do. Probably, but not always. We may not have killed anyone, but then did you know gossip is a violation of the 5th commandment, “Thou shall not kill,” in this case a reputation. Evil has a way of growing.
Consider the powerful witness of choosing to follow God. It changed the heart of King Saul and stemmed the flood of wickedness in the world.
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