Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 137 of the Bible in a Year podcast, a daily Scripture reading program brought to you by Ascension Press. Using The Great Adventure Bible Timeline, the podcast guides listeners through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation, helping them discover how the story of salvation unfolds.

Today's readings include 2 Samuel chapter 19, which covers David's mourning for Absalom and his restoration as king; 1 Chronicles chapter 24, detailing the priestly divisions of Aaron's sons; and Psalm 38, a penitential psalm expressing sorrow and trust in God's mercy.

Father Mike emphasizes how these passages reveal both David's brokenness and goodness, while Chronicles continues highlighting the genealogical lines of Judah (royal) and Levi (priestly) that point toward God's eternal covenant promises.

David's Grief Dishonors His Faithful Warriors

David's excessive mourning for Absalom brought shame upon the 20,000 soldiers who died defending his throne, causing them to 'steal back into the city as people who are ashamed' - Father Mike

Joab confronted David with harsh truth: 'You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants...because you love those who hate you and hate those who love you'

Father Mike notes how grief can overshadow what we still have: 'There are people still among us that need to be loved. And we're the only ones who can do it'

David's Restoration and Tribal Tensions

David forgave Shimei, the man who had cursed him and thrown rocks during his flight from Jerusalem, demonstrating royal mercy upon his return

The tribe of Judah restored David as king, but the other 10 tribes complained they weren't included in the process, creating early division

These tribal tensions reveal 'the beginnings of the seeds of rebellion that's going to happen after the death of King Solomon' - Father Mike

Priestly Lines and David's Ephod Mystery

Chronicles chapter 24 details the 24 divisions of Aaron's priestly descendants, emphasizing the Levitical line alongside Judah's royal lineage

David wore an ephod and participated in worship despite being from Judah, not Levi, leading Father Mike to explain he was 'like a priest in the line of Melchizedek'

This foreshadows Jesus, who 'according to the letter to the Hebrews, is a priest according to the order of Melchizedek because Jesus also was not of the tribe of Levi' - Father Mike

Psalm 38's Message of Repentant Trust

Psalm 38 provides 'words of repentance, words that voice confidence in you when we need you the most and when we deserve you the least' - Father Mike

The psalm expresses physical and spiritual anguish: 'My wounds grow foul and fester because of my foolishness...I am utterly spent and crushed'

Father Mike emphasizes God's mercy comes precisely 'when we need it the most and deserve it the least'