Verse for reflection: St Mathew 1:6
The next woman we encounter is king David’s wife, the mother of king Solomon. We see in Old Testament that her name was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. Uriah was killed in the battlefield in a plan set by David so that he could take his wife who was with his child. This action of David displeased the Lord. You can read the entire story in 2 Samuel chapter 11.
For today’s reflection, let us see a verse from the Old testament concerning King Solomon and his mother- Bathsheba.
“Bathsheba therefore went to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her and bowed down to her, and sat down on his throne and had a throne set for the king’s mother; so she sat at his right hand. Then she said, “I desire one small petition of you; do not refuse me.”
And the king said to her, “Ask it, my mother, for I will not refuse you.”” (1 Kings 2:19-20, NKJV)
If we read this chapter in entirety, we come to know that even though Adonijah had sought Bathsheba’s intercession to King Solomon with a hidden agenda, yet she doesn’t refuse him. She still presents Adonijah’s request to King Solomon. And more importantly, see how King Solomon respects his mother when he comes to know that she has come to the court to meet him. He gives her utmost respect and as the Queen Mother, she sits at King Solomon’s right hand. He tells her to make her request and states that he will never refuse her request. (Though in the latter part, we see that King Solomon understands the hidden agenda of Adonijah and puts him to death).
If an earthly king gives utmost respect to the Queen Mother, how much more will our Heavenly King- Lord Jesus Christ love and respect St Mary-the Theotokos, who bore Him in her womb. She was with Him during the Crucifixion when all His friends- the beloved Apostles (except St John) were hiding in fear.
St Theodosius (~reposed in ~AD566) fondly says about those who seek intercession of St Mary-the Theotokos:
“..How many more tokens of kindness will he obtain for himself, he, who by his efforts, becomes the companion of the king’s mother. The king will be sending to him many gifts, for she will be going continuously to the king, her Son. Nobody prevents her from bringing to the king this companion’s presents or from convincing Him to hold him in high esteem and increase incessantly His kindness towards him. Among those of the choir of the saints, who is like that?” (Ref: ‘Defending the holy Virgin Mary by Rev Fr Athanasius Iskander- Pg 14,15)
May the prayers and intercessions of St Mary-the Theotokos be our refuge always.
Your sister in Christ,
Rincy John
