The sermon for this Sunday is taken from the Book of II Samuel. If you want to look it up, it's right after I Samuel. The two together comprise one of the first histories ever written, written around 1000 years before Christ, so this is important historical stuff.

It is political history, written by someone to record the reign of David. It is thought to have been written by Abiathar, who was David's companion during the wars, and when David was made king he made Abiathar his high priest. That would be equivalent today to a high ranking cabinet minister, after a president's term, writing a biography of the president.

But it is also great literature. The books bear Samuel's name, but Samuel has only a bit part in this story. It begins with King Saul, the first king of Israel, who chose Dav…