God’s unmerited favor revealed through David

And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? (2 Samuel 9:1 KJV)

King Saul had a son Jonathan who was the rightful heir of his throne. However, Jonathan knew the LORD had chosen David to be king, and he wholeheartedly supported him. In fact, after David killed Goliath, Jonathan’s soul was knit to David. Sadly, Saul and Jonathan died in battle, and David would later ascend the throne as the king of all Judah and Israel.

After the LORD has established David as king, he did something quite revealing of God’s gracious nature. He asked his servants “is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? (2 Samuel 9:1 KJV). He wanted to show unmerited favor to someone from Saul’s house for Jonathan’s sake.

Ziba, one of Saul’s servants, said to David “Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet” (v3). Jonathan had a son called Mephibosheth and he was lame. Ziba was careful to add that the son was lame. He had an infirmity and a weakness. Mephibosheth himself could not believe that the king had called him and he said to David “what is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am” ( v8). He could not see anything of worth in himself. In fact, he said he was a dead dog. What was David’s response? He said “as for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons” (v19).

Mephibosheth was entitled to enjoy kindness that he did not earn. He looked for a reason why David should be kind to him and he did not see any. David made it clear that it was for Jonathan’s sake, his father, and not for himself. His role was to enjoy the benefits stemming from his father’s relationship with David.

Grace is kindness lavished on us from God for Christ’s sake. I pray you to catch this! God’s favor in Christ is for you to enjoy because of Christ and not you. Ephesians 1:6 says he has lavished favor upon us in the Beloved. Our Savior is here!

MEDITATE

How did David exemplify unmerited favor in his attitude towards’ Jonathan’s son? Think about this!

APPLY THE WORD

Can you imagine Mephibosheth turning down David’s offer because he did not feel he deserved it? How weird would that be! Yet that is what many Christians do repeatedly do to the LORD. For instance, when I talk about the believers being partakers of the divine nature, I often get comments such as “we are sinners” or “we do not deserve that”, etc. Such religious thinking is a spade to dig a grave to bury grace in your life. Do not do it! Grace is not about you doing something to earn it. It is divine kindness in the Son! Receive it and rather than fret over whether you deserve it or not, enjoy your benefits in Christ and be be thankful to the Lord.