Forgiveness Reigns, Part 2

To give you some background on this passage, David has just become king. He has defeated any enemies in the land, he has fortified the cities, built walls, and collected armies. As a new king in ancient times, he did his primary job as king. He made the people safe. Now he is going home and going to sit on that throne of his and will deal with the internal responsibilities of his kingdom. Greeting the people, addressing their problems, and making sure everyone is at peace.

If David were living in, let’s say Egypt, one his first jobs back in his capital, would be to see establish his lineage. Make sure his wife gives birth to a son and make sure no one else makes a claim to the throne, so that is where this passage starts…

2 Samuel 9:1-7, vs. 13

Vs 1-5 – Ok, just want to point out here, that David was interested in seeking out any living relatives of Saul, but not so he could kill them so they could not make a claim to the throne, but so he could show them kindness and love.

David found out that Saul still had one living relative – one person who could potentially lay claim to the throne. A little boy, the son of Jonathan, named Mephibosheth.

I want to point out that not only did David find out, in verse 1 it is very clear that David is the one who seeks out Saul’s relatives. I am sure that when poor Ziba is standing in the throne room of the new king of Israel, knowing all that we have discussed, that he was probably terrified. Shaking in his boots so to speak.

Then to make matters worse David asks if there is anyone still living (who could possibly lay claim to the throne). But he quickly adds “that I may shew the kindness of God unto him.” Wow!!!

V8-13 – Not only did David restore a relationship with Mephibosheth, he gave him back all of the servants, land, and wealth that had previously belonged to Saul. Even the position at the king’s table. David promised to care for Mephibosheth and his family as if he were Mephib’s own father. He would treat Micha, like his grandchild. He would care for them, because he wanted to show them kindness.

I want you to realize for a moment that David was human. Like as human as they come. He probably hated Saul in the most Christ-like way possible. Saul had wronged David at every turn and he still choose to love him and show his descendants the “kindness of God.” Not the kindness of David, but the kindness of God.

It can be challenging to live up to the example that Christ set for us, after all He did live 2,000 years ago. But the situations are still the same. There is still that dare I say – teacher, or friend, or authority figure, or sibling, or coworker or whoever – who has literally wronged you at every turn. They have made your life miserable! They have gotten under your skin, wronged you, offended you and done who knows what to you over and over and over again. And you have forgiven, and moved on, and yet it happens again and again. Then finally it is gone from your life, or so you think, and you are faced with the task of forgiving and showing the kindness of God again… or you can finally get some revenge.

If you believe that the Bible is 100% true and is your authority for life, you’re your standard is going to be, like David’s: To bring glory to God. And the way to do that will be to show kindness again and again.

So you have a choice, this week…

How are you going to respond…

1.              With kindness?

2.              With the right attitude?

3.              With compassion?

4.              With forgiveness?

5.              With gratitude?

David did and I think he faced some pretty terrible things at the hands of King Saul.

One other thing that I discussed in my Sunday school class was the following thought:

Also compare how this illustrates God’s love for us – despite our continual sin against God.

Just a reminder - this is skeleton of my Sunday School lesson, like the notes I take into class with me. I usually expound on each of these thoughts and have class discussion in addition to what you see.