Justice and Kindness

December 12, 2021 Background Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1 — 7, 9 — 12 Lesson Passage: 2 Samuel 9:1 —7, 9— 12 Today's lesson is an Old Testament example of the concept of grace. It is rare that friendship reaches a level such as that which existed between David and Jonathan. Jonathan was King Saul's son and David was King Saul's servant/personal musician. Jonathan and David shared a loyal love for each other. Jonathan made David swear that he would show him the kindness of God and do the same for Jonathan's descendants after him. One must ponder what was intended in using the phrase "the kindness of God". The lesson's narrative unfolds based on their friendship and this oath. King Saul, Jonathan, and the rest of King Saul's sons were killed in battle against the Philistines. As prophesied, David had ascended to the throne and was crowned king of all Israel. After David had settled in as Israel's king, he inquired as to whether anyone was left of Saul's family that he might uphold his oath to Jonathan. When King Saul's servant, Ziba, was brought before David, he told David about Jonathan's son that was living with someone in Lo Debar. Jonathan's son became handicap as a child when he was accidentally dropped by his nurse at the age of five. As a result of the accident, he could not use his feet and was therefore dependent on others. Jonathan's son was named Mephibosheth. Upon learning about him, David sent for Mephibosheth at once. When Mephibosheth was brought before King David, he bowed in respect to the king. It was customary at that time for new kings of other nations to eliminate all descendants of their predecessors to prevent them from attempting to return the kingdom to their family's control. Therefore, fear was the natural reaction for someone in Mephibosheth's situation. However, David informed Mephibosheth that his plan was to show him kindness for the sake of his father, Jonathan. David was bound by an oath with Jonathan, and he was going to honor it. David informed Mephibosheth that he would become part of the king's court in that he would eat at the king's table from that time forward. In addition to that, David ordered that all land and property previously held by Mephibosheth's grandfather, King Saul, become the inheritance of Mephibosheth. David also ordered Ziba, Ziba's sons, and Ziba's servants to take care of the estate for Mephibosheth. As Ziba and his household had served King Saul, they would now be the servants of Mephibosheth. Now, back to my previous statement. It is rare that a friendship reaches a level such as that which existed between David and Jonathan. Even after Jonathan's death, the oath, as a result of their friendship, controlled David's actions, So how is this an example of the concept of grace? First, grace is an act of kindness bestowed upon someone who has done nothing to deserve it. David didn't know Jonathan still had family alive at that time. Secondly, an act of grace is motivated by a promise, or commitment, made to another person in advance that the kindness would be extended to designated persons later. Based on the norms of that time, David would have been within his rights to either ignore Mephibosheth or to have him and his family executed. It is unlikely that actions such as those would have been questioned by members of that society. But acts of grace defy the norm. Mephibosheth and his family benefited from an agreement he had no knowledge of; neither did the benefits require Mephibosheth to do anything to earn them. As with any act of grace, the recipient enjoys the benefits based on an arrangement they had nothing to do with and in many cases, had no knowledge of. Justice is maintained and kindness is extended whenever grace is bestowed. C. Hudson November 17, 2021