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DAVID’S KINDNESS TO THE SON OF JONATHAN
THURSDAY, JULY 30
2 Samuel 9

1 Corinthians 13

 

“Charity suffereth long,
and is kind; charity envieth not;

charity vaunteth not itself…”

 

DAVID’S KINDNESS TO THE SON OF JONATHAN
 
David knew why the Lord gave him such a high position in the nation of Israel. He could trust the Lord, and he kept his word. There was a covenant of friendship between David and Jonathan. However, Jonathan was killed at war, together with his father King Saul and his brothers. David was committed to keeping this covenant, and he looked for Jonathan’s next of kin to show them kindness.
 
Ziba, a servant of Saul, identified a son of Jonathan. Thus, David invited him to be part of the king’s household and to dine with him at his table continually. The king also gave him Saul’s estate. The love that David demonstrated was of God. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan. After the tragedy that befell the house of Saul, David was busy settling in as king. Still, he showed his love for Saul’s family. He disregarded the hostility that Saul had shown towards him and he accepted Saul as the Lord’s anointed. Another even stronger relationship David had, and was committed to, was with Jonathan, a dear friend of his, and also a son of Saul. When the confrontation between Saul and David was at its peak, Jonathan was there to relieve David’s distress. Both of them were sincere and they showed godly love for each other. David did not forget the covenant they had made, and he knew the obligation that came with such a commitment.
 
David had demonstrated the love that the Apostle Paul was inspired to write about in 1 Corinthians 13. David’s kindness towards Mephibosheth was illustrative of that full definition of love. The Lord Jesus Christ affirmed the superiority of love when He was asked as to which is the greatest commandment in the Law. He named the need to love God and one’s neighbour as the answer. David had these commandments in his heart and his circumstances gave him the opportunity to show what they meant in a practical way. He had hidden God’s Word in his heart that he might not sin against Him.
 
THOUGHT: The Holy Spirit brings same minds together.

PRAYER: Father, may the mind of Christ unite me with my brethren.

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