“So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family that I can show the kindness of God to?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still Jonathan’s son who was injured in both feet.”” (2 Samuel 9:3, HCSB)

In the midst of all the work of being a king, David remembers his friend Jonathan. He remembers Saul’s family, and obviously, the friendship of Jonathan was a special memory to David. We don’t know what prompted David to think about Jonathan. What we do know is that he decided to show kindness to one of Saul’s family members, specifically Jonathan’s son. David cared enough about Jonathan that he was willing to extend kindness to his son. The way David describes it though is that he is willing to show “the kindness of God” to him.

So how does David show the kindness of God? He gives. He gives Mephibosheth all of the property that belonged to Saul back to him. He also invites him to eat at David’s table for meals – in essence, free meals. The kindness of God which David displayed was not charity, nor was it some form of pity. David did not show kindness to Mephibosheth because he was handicapped. No, David showed kindness because of the friendship he had with Mephibosheth’s father. The kindness was built upon a relationship with someone special in David’s life. The same is true with God and us. He extends His kindness to us because of the relationship we have built with Jesus Christ.

This kindness was God’s kindness, not human kindness. This kindness was more extensive than the kindness a king should show. Jesus would say to “go the extra mile with someone.” This is the kindness God calls us to share with others.

Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash