2 Samuel 9: Kindness of the King

​ And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”

9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons.12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.

Meditation
One kindness of the King is His invitation to feast at His table. At one time, we were enemies of God (Romans 5:10). Through the work of King Jesus, believers come to His banqueting table and His banner over us is love (Song of Solomon 2:4).
 
After David united the kingdom, established the capital, and defeated his enemies the king looks to show “kindness,” or steadfast love, to the house of Jonathan (1).
 
David’s intentionality to show “kindness” (1, 3, 7) is fulfillment of 1 Samuel 2:2, 7-9 where Hannah celebrates the Lord’s anointed “lifting the needy…to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.. . . (to) guard the feet of his faithful ones.”  
 
Kindness is the “Hesed” of God, His character and covenant love (Exodus 34:4-6). Mephibosheth was injured in his feet (2 Samuel 4:4, 10) but David honored Jonathan’s and elevated lame Mephibosheth. Kindness is the fullness of God’s heart welcoming the forgotten and marginalized to the king’s table.
 
David’s kindness was centered on his table (7, 10, 11, 13), just as the True Shepherd sets a table for His beloved. God’s kindness, or steadfast love, follows us all the days of our lives (Psalm 23). The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases- Great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23)!
 
Jesus is David’s greater son whose kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). The grace God through the work of Jesus offers a seat at God's banqueting table with to everyone who believes. The steadfast love of Jesus is God's kindness that lifts the needy and empowers the lame to walk in love as He loved us.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially in David’s determination to show God’s kindness to the house of Jonathan?
 
-Take a moment to list ways God has shown His kindness to you, His steadfast love, through His grace in Jesus. Be specific, and allow the list to lead you to praise.
 
-How does the kindness of our King empower you to share and show His kindness to a world of His enemies who are lame? To whom do you need to show this kindness to today?
 
Key Verse
13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.