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Loyalty is a shallow virtue these days. David reminded Jonathan, King Saul’s son, that he would keep his generation going due to his loyalty and friendship to David. David and Jonathan were loyal friends in spite of King Saul.
King Saul hated and despised David, yet David knew God’s ultimate plan and would not harm God’s anointed.
Jonathan would have been king if his father Saul had his way. Jonathan hid David in the fields and asked him to flee when he shot the arrows beyond David. 1 Samuel 20.
After David becomes king several years later. The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.” When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “At your service,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) -2 Samuel 9:3, 6-10 NIV
David kept his promise to Jonathan and showed mercy and grace to Saul’s grandson. David once again shows how he became a ‘man after God’s own heart.’ He does the opposite in how the world responds. Saul was out for revenge, but like Jesus who was loyal and faithful going to the cross. King David shows grace, and Mephibosheth is seated at the king's banquet table.
Friends, even when we fall, fail, or let down God, He is faithful to forgive us and show us his unconditional love and grace. Perhaps you’ve been stepped on, misled, thrown under the bus, or deceived, forgiving is the better way even if it hurts.
Ask God to help you to release that person or situation to Him in prayer. This will make you the person God wants you to be and will allow your life to move forward.
Have a kind week, My Friend!
Pastor Andy Provitola
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