The Standard Of Love Series

THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID

THE STANDARD OF LOVE

2 SAMUEL 9:1-12, 16:1-4, 19:24-30

#kingdavid

INTRODUCTION

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:12 in a passage where He prophesies about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (verses 1-28) and in a passage where He later talks about His Second Coming (verses 29-51):

READ MATTHEW 24:12

“… because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”

TRANSITION

We have been taking a look at the very relatable life of King David. We’ve seen how David was anointed to be king whilst he was still an insignificant young shepherd boy. He ended up serving King Saul who was at the same time a friend and a great enemy. David was on the run for many years and dealt with depression and rash behavior and sin. He lived a life of adventure and violence and at times kept God at a distance. David dealt with frustrating people and situations almost constantly. And yet, everything God promised to David came true when King Saul died and David was established as king over all Israel. David conquered Jerusalem and made it his capitol. Things did go well for him for a while. It is in this time of victory after victory that David wants to do something good to honor his friend Jonathan.

KINDNESS EXTENDED IN 2 SAMUEL 9

The beginning of 2 Samuel 9 describes the heart and motivation of David during this time of peace and prosperity. Let’s read from 2 Samuel 9.

READ 2 SAMUEL 9:1 (ESV)

And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?”

We see here in verse 1, that David is looking to do a kindness for Jonathan. Jonathan, you will remember, is King Saul’s son with whom David had a close friendship and bond. Jonathan, unlike his father, accepted that David would be king and helped him. Saul and Jonathan and many of their family members are dead at this time and many others are in hiding.

David seeks to do a “kindness.” That word in this verse is used 248 times in the Old Testament and is a Hebrew word for which we really don’t have a good word to translate. It means “unswerving love and favor.” It means “dependable mercy and love that is stable.” If you would like to put a New Testament word on it, the word would be ‘agape love’ although it really is not the same. Close in my opinion, but not really the same. Let’s keep reading in 2 Samuel 9.

READ 2 SAMUEL 9:2-13 (ESV)

Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3 And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4 The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5 Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6 And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7 And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8 And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” 9 Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson. 10 And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. 12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. 13 So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.