Day 236: 2 samuel 9- Covenant Kindness at the table with 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
The covenant love of God has a special place at the table for every unique person He calls His beloved. God’s people must look to show God’s love to unlikely people in unlikely places.
 
David had united the kingdom, established the capital, and defeated his enemies. What is his next best step? Looking to show “kindness,” or steadfast love, to the house of Jonathan (1).
 
David seeks to intentionally show “kindness” (1, 3, 7), the covenant love of God (Exodus 34:4-6). Mephibosheth had been injured in his feet when fleeing with his nurse after the death of his father and grandfather (2 Samuel 4:4, 10).  David could have overlooked the house of Jonathan and forgotten Mephibosheth. Kindness welcomes the forgotten and marginalized to the king’s table.
 
David’s desire to show kindness is centered on his table (7, 10, 11, 13). The hospitality of king David points to the Lord’s kindness, His steadfast love for His people. Our Shepherd sets a table in the presence of our enemies. His kindness, or steadfast love, will follow 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)!
 
God’s kindness does not overlook us in our need but welcomes us to His table. We must show the same kindness to others. The love of the Lord will never let us go (Romans 8:28-30). We respond by showing that same love to everyone that God puts in our path.
 
Richly Dwelling
-How do you describe your care or concern for people the world has overlooked or forgotten?
 
-God has not overlooked or forgotten you. He shows you His steadfast love in the person and work of Christ, inviting you to His table. How does God’s love for you challenge how you love your neighbor? See Luke 10:30-37 or 1 John 4:20 for some direction in this application.
 
-Who do you need to show kindness to? How can you show kindness, the Lord’s steadfast love, to those the Lord puts in your path?
 
Key Verse
 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.”