2 Samuel 9:1

2 Samuel 9:1

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

This week’s devotions will follow the story of David and Mephibosheth, the last surviving son of Jonathan and the house of Saul.

After all the battles between Saul and David, after David had ascended to the throne and established peace in Israel for the first time in a generation, David does something unheard of among royalty of his time. He seeks out a member of Saul’s family to show kindness to. So why is this so unheard of? Well, it was customary that when there was a dynastic change, the incoming household would destroy any remaining heirs to the throne. But David, reaches out to try and find someone that he can show kindness to.

That word kindness is not exactly the best way to characterize this word. It holds more meaning than simply being nice to someone. In fact, grace captures it quite nicely. Grace is unmerited favor, especially from God, towards someone. Grace is at the very heart of the Bible and our relationship with God. In fact, it is grace that sets Christianity apart from all other religions.

When a household should have been lost to the pages of history, David does something incredible, he shows grace. He seeks out the survivor to give him something that he never expected and didn’t deserve. In so many ways we have come from a household that has rebelled against God and we should be left alone in our sin and obscurity. But by the grace of God, He sends Christ to seek us out to show us the kindness of God.

I’d encourage you to keep your own eyes open and searching for that person who needs grace today. Maybe it’s one of your children or a family member, or maybe someone at your workplace. Find that person and commit to showing them the thing s they need most and perhaps is least expected, grace.