Five Smooth Stones
Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd’s bag….. David put his hand in his bag, took out a stone, slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.” 1 Samuel 17:31-49
“When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 17:50-18:4
“And the women sang to one another as they made merry, ‘Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands.’ Saul was very angry, for this saying displeased him.” 1 Samuel 18:5-16, 27b-30
David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, “This is
Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 2 Samuel 11:1-27
“But Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had raped his sister Tamar.” 2 Samuel 13:1-22
Stones chosen from the river bed
Fall into the sea of life
Ripples circle out into the world.
The first stone lodges in the forehead of Goliath
Freeing the people from fear
And launching David into his hero’s quest.
The second stone lodges in the heart of Jonathan
Binding their souls in love
And joining them forever.
The third stone settles in the mind of Saul
Creating jealousy
And driving him out of his mind.
The fourth stone stirs desire for Bathsheba
Killing Uriah
And using power to satisfy passion.
The fifth stone falls on Tamar
Destroying her life
And dividing the house of David.
Stones of liberation and love,
Stones of jealousy and lust,
Stones of power.
Will we build or destroy?
The Rev. Ann Fontaine, Interim Vicar, St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, Manzanita OR, keeps what the tide brings in. She is the author of Streams of Mercy: a meditative commentary on the Bible.