2 Samuel 9: Show Kindness

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” -2 Samuel 9:1

After David came to power as king, he sensed the need to honor the memory of his friend Jonathan. Those who read 2 Samuel 9 often focus on his treatment of Jonathan’s disabled son as a model for today’s follower of God, and rightly so. However, we often miss the foundational motivation that led to this treatment–David’s desire to show kindness.

In today’s world, people often talk about showing “random acts of kindness.” Boy Scouts are taught to “turn a good deed daily.” While these expressions have the right idea, David’s motivation for kindness was not random nor a desire to show himself prepared or responsible. Instead, his desire to show kindness overflowed from a heart that passionately followed God.

No program nor social service can “make” a person motivated to show kindness. Yet those who live for God will have a transformed heart that regularly pursued helping those in need, oppressed, or hurt (Romans 12:1-2). All people can show kindness, yet those whose hearts have been changed by God will pursue it daily and diligently.

Today, show kindness. But don’t show kindness just to “be nice.” Do it because of a love for God that seeks to better the lives of others.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.