March 29, 2026 - 2 Samuel 8-10

Chapter 8 lists military victories David enjoyed over his and Israel’s enemies.  But his greatness was not found merely in the fact that he delivered, always with God’s help, Israel from her enemies:  “So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people” (8:15).  David’s greatness is so powerfully displayed as he asks, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (9:1).  There was a son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth, who, if normal lines of kingly succession were followed, being the grandson of Saul, he would have been on the throne instead of David.  David, however, sought no vengeance upon Saul’s line, and he was confident in his own place because God had anointed him and assured him of his own line sitting on the throne.  And so, David said to Mephibosheth, “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” (9:6-7).  It’s amazing how a deep trust in God transforms our relationships so that we do not always see ourselves as victims, always having to fight for first place, always on guard with others.  In fact, in Christ, the instruction of the apostle Paul is first place in our lives:  “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (2:3-4).

Make us of one heart and mind,

courteous, merciful, and kind,

lowly, meek, in thought and word,

altogether like our Lord.

Let us for each other care,

each the other's burden bear;

to Thy church the pattern give,

show how true believers live.

Free from anger and from pride,

let us thus in God abide;

all the depths of love express,

all the heights of holiness.   --Charles Wesley (1749)