Kindness Personified
“And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.” II Samuel 9.3
I find II Samuel 9 to be one of the most intriguingly fascinating chapters in God’s Word.
David has subdued all of his old enemies and his number one nemesis, King Saul, has been taken out of the equation. Having dedicated himself and his kingdom to God, David sits in contemplation concerning his next step. While many would move on and accept his personal glory, David begins to consider tying up some loose ends.
Too often when under fire, we make promises to God only to forget them once the pressure has been eased. We even justify our actions by thinking that we had accomplished our goals and God had remained quiet. II Samuel 8 is a record of all of David’s accomplishments – things he had done – battles he had won; yet, amidst these mountaintop experiences, David took a moment to reflect on his friend, Jonathan.
David had determined to be a blessing for the family of King Saul for Jonathan’s sake. By all laws, creeds, and opinions, David had every legitimate reason for destroying anyone and anything associated with Saul. Saul had attempted on more than one occasion to take David’s life. He had pursued with vehemence David and made David’s life miserable. Saul had spent much time and great fortunes – wasting God’s blessings – in efforts to stop David.
When David took the throne and there was respite due to great victories, David asked his court, “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him?” Had David followed a natural path, he would have hunted down the last survivor of Saul’s clan and eliminated him, thus ended any threat to his throne. As it turned out, the last descendant of Saul who had claim to the throne was a cripple, Mephibosheth.
Most likely, Mephibosheth had been in hiding because it seems Ziba (one of King Saul’s servants) was the only one who knew where he was. Appearing before David, Mephibosheth bowed and offered his allegiance to David as servant. What David did was more than remarkable. He gave to Mephibosheth Ziba and his family and all Ziba’s servant to serve and maintain Mephibosheth’s household. David gave property and the means of survival plus a seat at the King’s table. None of this goodness was bestowed because of Mephibosheth’s worthiness, but because of the kindness God had shown David.
All of this vividly illustrates what Christ has done for the lost sinner. The Bible tells us that all who are without salvation through Jesus Christ are aliens (Ephesians 2.12) and separated from God because of sin. Having been born in sin, we are separated from God because of our family ties with Satan. (John 8.44) Because of His great kindness, which He shed abroad, offers reconciliation because of His Son Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4.32)
God does not show us kindness because we deserve it; God shows us kindness because of His love for His Son. As a believer, we are never enjoined to treat others with kindness because they have been kind to us. We are required to be kind because of the kindness God has bestowed upon us.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4.32)
David has subdued all of his old enemies and his number one nemesis, King Saul, has been taken out of the equation. Having dedicated himself and his kingdom to God, David sits in contemplation concerning his next step. While many would move on and accept his personal glory, David begins to consider tying up some loose ends.
Too often when under fire, we make promises to God only to forget them once the pressure has been eased. We even justify our actions by thinking that we had accomplished our goals and God had remained quiet. II Samuel 8 is a record of all of David’s accomplishments – things he had done – battles he had won; yet, amidst these mountaintop experiences, David took a moment to reflect on his friend, Jonathan.
David had determined to be a blessing for the family of King Saul for Jonathan’s sake. By all laws, creeds, and opinions, David had every legitimate reason for destroying anyone and anything associated with Saul. Saul had attempted on more than one occasion to take David’s life. He had pursued with vehemence David and made David’s life miserable. Saul had spent much time and great fortunes – wasting God’s blessings – in efforts to stop David.
When David took the throne and there was respite due to great victories, David asked his court, “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him?” Had David followed a natural path, he would have hunted down the last survivor of Saul’s clan and eliminated him, thus ended any threat to his throne. As it turned out, the last descendant of Saul who had claim to the throne was a cripple, Mephibosheth.
Most likely, Mephibosheth had been in hiding because it seems Ziba (one of King Saul’s servants) was the only one who knew where he was. Appearing before David, Mephibosheth bowed and offered his allegiance to David as servant. What David did was more than remarkable. He gave to Mephibosheth Ziba and his family and all Ziba’s servant to serve and maintain Mephibosheth’s household. David gave property and the means of survival plus a seat at the King’s table. None of this goodness was bestowed because of Mephibosheth’s worthiness, but because of the kindness God had shown David.
All of this vividly illustrates what Christ has done for the lost sinner. The Bible tells us that all who are without salvation through Jesus Christ are aliens (Ephesians 2.12) and separated from God because of sin. Having been born in sin, we are separated from God because of our family ties with Satan. (John 8.44) Because of His great kindness, which He shed abroad, offers reconciliation because of His Son Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 4.32)
God does not show us kindness because we deserve it; God shows us kindness because of His love for His Son. As a believer, we are never enjoined to treat others with kindness because they have been kind to us. We are required to be kind because of the kindness God has bestowed upon us.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4.32)
Copyright © 2024 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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