Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 8:1-18, 2 Samuel 9:1-13, 2 Samuel 10:1-19, Acts 4:24-28
When I was 20 years old, I spent a semester by myself in Chile. I was an intern there—not part of a full study abroad program with tons of other college students. I lived with a host family and worked with other Americans, but there was no one else there in the same position. I found myself pretty much alone.
One day, my Spanish teacher invited me to an “asado” at her house. A Chilean asado is a backyard barbecue on steroids: hours and hours of food, drink, laughter, stories, and family. It’s a feast for the stomach and the heart. I didn’t have much going on during the weekends, so I went. I’ll never forget the feeling of overwhelming acceptance washing over me that day. I felt known and welcomed there. For one afternoon, I was completely enveloped into their family.
I’ve never been in David’s shoes—a newly-crowned king looking to gain and maintain power. But I have been in Mephibosheth’s, feeling like the lonely outcast. Mephibosheth was the crippled grandson of the fallen king; all tradition and expectation would have been for David to ignore him at best, and kill him at worst.
But the victorious and powerful King David, remembering his promise to Jonathan and Saul, instead seeks Mephibosheth out and honors him. He restores the family land to Mephibosheth, and invites him to feast at his table. Even Mephibosheth can’t believe it. “What is your servant that you take an interest in a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8).
David’s kindness is not spur of the moment, either. He seeks out Mephibosheth to offer him “hesed,” the Hebrew word for lovingkindness. This word is found all over the Old Testament, used to describe God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to His people. In Exodus 34, God Himself uses hesed to describe His own character: “The Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed: The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth” (v.6).
What we see David give to Mephibosheth is the same lovingkindness that God offers us through His Son. David invited Mephibosheth to be “like one of the king’s sons.”
It’s impossible to read this story and not see myself—crippled in spirit, with nothing to give, and yet completely welcomed into Christ’s family because of God’s lovingkindness to me. I am Mephibosheth, Joseph’s brothers, Job, and the prodigal son all rolled into one. And God seeks me out, the way David seeks out Mephibosheth.
Jesus invites us to a feast far greater than King David’s, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” (John 7:37). May we answer His invitation with thankful hearts, filled with the unsurpassed joy that comes from knowing our Father loves us with perfect, steadfast love.
Melanie Rainer is the director of content for JellyTelly, where she writes and edits family spiritual formation resources. She is a graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary, a passionate home baker, and makes her always-messy home with her husband, Price, and their delightful daughter, Ellie, near historic downtown Franklin, Tennessee.
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58 thoughts on "David’s Kindness"
Church mouse, I agree. I’ve been Mephibosheth myself and it only takes “1 David” to make you feel welcomed and accepted. ♡ being a kid is hard, and I pray for unity and joy this year in classrooms.
Kathy, thanks for sharing that video. Somehow, I haven’t heard this song and I really like it!
The new school year starts up here today. Praying that the “Mephibosheths” who enter their classrooms would be welcomed with “hesed” by their teachers and fellow classmates. May the atmosphere be a warm, friendly and safe one. So much can be intimidating and even frightening. But one “David” can make a tremendous difference. Praying for all today. And may I be on the lookout for the “Mephibosheths” along my path and may I be as welcoming and sensitive as David.
Amen!
Amen❤️
Amen
Amen!
I am an occupational therapist by trade. For the past two decades, I have provided service to the sick and injured to help them find restoration. When I read this story, I usually put myself in David’s shoes. I see the beauty of extending mercy to people with disabilities. David’s kindness to a neglected man with disabilities makes this one of my favorites.
But today, God used Melanie’s words to put me in my proper place. I am the broken one. I am the one in need of mercy. I am so humbled, so grateful for my place at the table.
Yes! Me too!
If Mephibosheth had not been crippled, he very well could have been out fighting with Saul and Jonathan and been killed. Or he might have tried to avenge his father or take back the throne, and been killed. But because he was crippled, in the end he was spared and sitting at the king’s table. I imagine there were many moments he despaired of his feet, but God had a plan to use that affliction ultimately to lead him straight to the king’s table. We can’t always see the big picture, but how wonderful to know Someone has a plan for us!
I love this so much! Thank you for sharing!
The Lord sees the big picture on every situation & fulfills promises!
If I’m reading the Bible correctly, Mephibosheth was 5 years old when his father, Jonathan, died (2 Sam 4:4). I don’t think he could’ve been fighting in the battle with them. But I loved your insight about God & His perfect plan!! It’s so true!
Amen! Beauty from ashes.
My mom said life is like a huge panoramic picture but we are so close up that all we can see is the few inches in front of us- we can’t see how God is going to work all these things for our good and His glory.
I thought the same thing! It is likely he would have avenged Saul. The crippling not only gave him a seat at the King’s table but also aided in the bigger picture of David’s kingship. Plus it would allow David to keep his covenant with Jonathan without putting the kingdom at peril.
Actually the Bible says that Mephibosheth was five years old when his father Jonathan and his grandfather Saul were killed. It would be many years later before David showed “hesed” to Mephibosheth. Not until he was a grown man with a son himself, 2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 9:12.
Love this!! Thank you for sharing, it’s now written in my bible as a wonderful nugget of wisdom!
The story of Mephibosheth reminds me of Matthew West’s new song “Broken Things”. The chorus says, “Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a King. I wish I could bring You so much more. But if it’s true You use broken things, then here I am Lord, I am all Yours.” But my favorite part is at the end. He sings, “Grace is a kingdom with gates opened wide. There’s a seat at the table just waiting for you so come on inside.” God is so good!
Here’s the link to the video. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwKuz8a8Jnk
This song is currently one of my favorites. Thank you so much for sharing the video!
There is a parallel between how David sees himself before God — 2 Sam 7:18, “Who am I Lord God, and what is my house that you have brought me this far?” — and how Mephibosheth sees himself before David — 2 Sam 9:8, “What is your servant that you take an interest in a dog like me?”
King David, once a young and overlooked shepherd boy, bestows the love and generosity and blessings he himself has received from God onto Jonathan’s son, the youngest, who is crippled and overlooked.
David honours his covenant with Jonathan as God honoured his covenant with David.
Beautiful.
Such a good point!
Love this!!
God is David’s example for grace giving. God shows David grace and David shows that same grace to others.
It struck me that of all things the weakest member of Saul´s family was spared. He who couldn´t defend himself was unharmed and got honored in the end. Isn´t this God´s principle? Not the strong and selfconscious will conquer but the humble and weak …
So true! What a great observation!
Wow! Love this Marianne, going to meditate on this today. Thank you!!