Alternate First Reading

hooded figure alone on boardwalk
Commentary on 2 Samuel 7:1-14a

At first reading, we might want to applaud David’s desire [...]

Man and boy smile at each other
Commentary on 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19

While the account of David’s ascendance is the stuff of [...]

friends on a beach at sunset
Commentary on 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10

This passage signals the new reign of David as king. [...]

statue of person hugging knees
Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27

David’s mourning cry at the death of Saul and Jonathan [...]

man under tree
Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:34—16:13

In this post-election year we find ourselves in a deeply [...]

Three friends
Commentary on 1 Samuel 8:4-11 [12-15] 16-20; [11:14-15]

Negotiating a rotten compromise in [...]

1 Thessalonians 2:9
Commentary on Joshua 3:7-17

In the first chapter of the book of Joshua, the title character is exhorted four [...]

Matthew 25:10
Commentary on Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25

The closing address in the book of Joshua is a [...]

Matthew 25:25
Commentary on Judges 4:1-7

These seven verses are an introduction to the larger story of Deborah, Barak, and Sisera, [...]

Matthew 22:19
Commentary on Exodus 33:12-23

Can one bargain with God? According to the narrative in Exodus 33:12-23, the answer is [...]