If you are curious or confused about my work ...

For those of you who are interested in learning more about what I do for a living, Symmetry Magazine just published an article and photograph gallery about NOvA, the experiment on which I work that is under construction now.  Quotes from yours truly bookend the article! Another article provides a good summary of the current questions particle physicists have about neutrinos and the experiments we are using to answer them.  Symmetry is "a magazine about particle physics and its connections to other aspects of life and science, from interdisciplinary collaborations to policy to culture."

"It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out."- Proverbs 25:2

David, God, and the Law for Kings

In my Bible reading a few days ago, I read with much interest about the law God proclaimed to govern Israelite kings.

One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, 'You shall never return that way again.' And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.

- Deuteronomy 17:15-17

My first reaction was to be impressed that God gave laws that even kings had to obey, a concept that modern America still holds. Richard Nixon and Rod Blagojevich discovered the hard way. 

I also noticed one of the clauses requires that the king "shall not acquire many wives for himself."  

I Chronicles 3:1-3 lists six wives of David, and II Samuel 3:13-16 recounts another (Mical).  This is not counting Bathsheba.  If seven wives can be considered many, then David broke the law, which is no surprise given the adultery and murder his is famous for committing.  What surprises and confuses me is part of the condemnation Nathan relayed from God regarding David's sins, "I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more" (II Samuel 12:7-9).  This raises several questions that I do not know how to answer.  Is God saying that he gave David at least some of his many wives?  If so, does that mean God was abetting David in breaking his own law? I would welcome any suggestions you have.

Answered Prayers This Week

• Sold my first ticket in The Well's raffle
• I think God just answered my prayer for my internet connection to work!

A Good Old Fashioned Church Raffle! You could win $5000!

If you would like a raffle ticket with a chance to to win a $5000 cash prize, an iPad or a $500 gift card, e-mail me, call me or comment on this entry. $25 for a ticket will help our church raise some needed funds. Only 2000 tickets available so your chance of winning is at least 1 in 667!  Tickets will be sold until October 30th,  and the prizes will be awarded on November 6th.


"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

- II Corinthians 9:7