David a Man After God's Own Heart

So much of the story of King David up until this point in his life (2 Samuel 9 - David and Mephibosheth), demonstrates how he was a man after God's own heart. But the story of David and Mephibosheth is such an incredible demonstration of grace and love. It would benefit us all to take a close look at it and follow this example.

David had been so wronged by the house of Saul. David was a faithful servant of Saul and for all the right reasons. It wasn't some misguided, carnal, selfish reason David had for being so devoted to King Saul. The Word of God tells us that David refused to take revenge on Saul by killing him because Saul was the LORD's anointed. God had sent Samuel to choose and anoint Saul as King. David trusted God and knew that God would deal with Saul in His perfect timing and God did.

But now in 2 Sam. 9, Saul is gone. His best friend Jonathan is also dead and gone. David is established as King. Everything is going so amazingly well for the Kingdom and for David. Israel's enemies cannot stand against them. God is for them and they cannot be defeated because David is leading them in obedience to God.

The amazing thing to me is that David in the midst of all that God is doing is simply wanting to show kindness to Saul's house. Look what It says...

"Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul,

that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Who could blame him for just wanting forget the house of Saul and move on. But no! David wants to show kindness to Saul's house for Jonathan's sake. Even though David could be bitter because he should have been serving God along with his best friend Jonathan, he demonstrates his love for God and his relationship with God by being godly in regard to Saul's house. He holds no grudge against the house of the man who hunted him for years in order to cut him down and kill him. He only want to show the kindness of God to Saul's house. Just read the text and see how David made Mephibosheth like one of his own sons. Amazing!

That, my friends, is grace. That is forgiveness.

LORD I pray that You would fill me with your Spirit today to be a man of grace. I know I cannot forgive as David did without Your Presence in my heart and life, without Your Fullness in me. Help me to be a doer of the Word today and not a hearer only.