God's Kindness

King David had made a promise to Jonathan who was David's friend and Saul's son. Later, he made good on that promise. 2 Samuel 9 tells the story of King David asking if anyone still lived who was part of Saul's family. He was told, "yes". So King David had Jonathan's son come to see him.

This story is remarkable for a number of reasons.

1) Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, was crippled. In that culture and time, people who were crippled were a burden on a family and often were beggars, unable to do more.

2) David restored all of Saul's property to Mephibosheth - all of it. He didn't just give Mephibosheth a little house somewhere. He gave him all the property that King Saul had had. (See verse 7)

3) On top of all that, David had Ziba, formerly one of Saul's servants, and his family farm and take care of the property for Mephibosheth. The Ziba family was not a small one. There were 15 sons and 20 servants! This is a lot of people for David to support! (See verse 10).

4) King David had Mephibosheth eat at the King's table. Oftentimes, those who were crippled were treated poorly. One would never expect a crippled man, especially one whose grandfather wanted to kill David for most of David's life, to eat with the king at the king's table.

Why did David do this? The passage tells us in verse 3.... David said, "I want to show God’s kindness to them.” His intent was not to show how generous and kind King David was. It wasn't to show how rich he was (and could afford this burden). His intent was to show God's kindness.

God's kindness. That is different from my kindness, and likely your kindness. God's kindness is above and beyond what we normally think to do or say. God's kindness isn't limited to those who are worthy, or those we like, or those who have treated us kindly. God's kindness is overflowing with love, unconditional love. Notice there are no time limits or special conditions to what David said he was going to do for Mephibosheth. There is no judgement, or because he had done this or that. It is completely unconditional....with the exception of being related to the right person which we all are. We are related to Jesus through his death on the cross. We became siblings of Christ and sons and daughters of God the Father. We are entitled to God's kindness through Jesus Christ.

Shouldn't we treat each other in a way that shows God's kindness? My guess is each time we step out on that limb and try, God will provide so that His kindness will be reflected and revealed!

Thank You, God for Your overwhelming kindness that you reflect and reveal to me through others. I pray that you use me for the same purposes and that I am willing to do as David did, show Your kindness thoroughly and lovingly. amen

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