In the past, when you had a problem like a washing machine that was making strange sounds and a tub that was not spinning correctly, you had a couple options:
- Immediately call the pro repairman - Downside: expensive/waiting to learn the problem
- Call a Dad or some other trusted, experienced person who may know and pass on the knowledge to you - Downside: they may not know either, but at least they're cheap
We recently had strange sounds coming out of our front load washer and Rachel complained that the tub was not spinning correctly. Because I'm cheap, and my Dad is 1200 miles away, I have a new rule. Before calling anyone we consult Google. As it turned out, we found multiple articles pinpointing the likely problem. It appears the tub bearings were bad, which would also account for a leak that we had been working on.
After reviewing the videos and checking to see what the parts we needed, I balanced the pros and cons... AND ultimately, decided that it was time for a new washer.
In the time of King David, he didn't have You-Tube or Front Load Washers, but he did have responsibilities as a king. He had decisions to make about how he would rule and what his relationship to the people in his kingdom would be like.
In today's study, we'll see how David chose to demonstrate kindness in his kingdom, even though to do so could have been considered weak, and also could have been dangerous for his rule as king.
- David shows kindness to the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth
- Jonathan modeled kindness to David
- Jesus is the perfect king who desired relationship over the comforts of his throne.
David's kindness to Mephibosheth
Read 2 Samuel 9:1 Why did David want to show kindness to Mephibosheth? What risk was he taking?Read 2 Samuel 9:3 What was Mephibosheth's personal challenge? In our modern culture, we do all we can to accommodate people with physical disabilities, in those days, he was actually fortunate that he was living in some one's house rather than as a beggar.
Read 2 Samuel 9:6-7 What was the demeanor of Mephibosheth in approaching the king?
2 Samuel 9:11b "So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table as one of the king’s sons."
The kindness David offered the son of Jonathan included:
i. Wealth
ii. A relationship with the king
iii. Treatment as a son
iv. No fear or jealousy that Mephibosheth may undermine his kingdom.
The lesson book points out that David was a representation of our king Jesus.
Now that we've completed today's lesson, I want to think about where David's kindness came from.
Jonathan models kindness to David
What type of man was Jonathan, the son of King Saul? 1 Samuel 14 gives a good picture.i. Jonathan trusted God to defeat a garrison of Philistines with only his armor bearer at his side: Read 1 Samuel 14:6
ii. When Saul acted foolishly, Jonathan willingly accepted the punishment due for Saul's rash vow. Read 1 Samuel 14:43.
iii. Jonathan was beloved by the people who stood up to Saul and said no. 1 Samuel 14:45.
What did Jonathan do for David?
1 Samuel 18:1-4 Jonathan loved David as himself and equipped him to do the work he would have to do.
1 Samuel 19:4-5 Jonathan stood up for David against his father the king.
1 Samuel 20:12-17 Jonathan gives his kingdom to David. King Saul warned his son, "31 For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, send and bring him to me, for he must surely die.”
A friend in college mentored me in ways similar to how Jonathan took David under his wings.
Jesus was the ultimate who left his throne for a relationship with his people
Jesus left Heaven to bring people to his Father. He made a way for us to be sons and daughters dining at the table of the king.Philippians 2:5-11
5 Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be [f]grasped, 7 but [g]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death [h]on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
When we understand that Jesus is 100% Human as well as 100% God, it is clear that he was subject to temptation just like us. Had Jesus failed to overcome temptation and lead a sinless life, He would have forfeited his kingdom in Heaven with God.
Closing point: We need to imitate the servant leadership of David, Jonathan, and Jesus that chose relationships over kingdom building.
