March 8, 2022 - 2 Samuel 8-12

The rule of David was powerful. He defeated the Philistines, he defeated Moab, he defeated Hadadezer, he struck down 22,000 men of the Syrians, and more stories are told about “all the nations he subdued” (8:11). There is much more, here: David’s victories, his sin with Bathsheba, Nathan’s rebuke, the death of David’s son. Wow, lots going on! (And much more to come.)

In the midst of all the wars and intrigue, such a beautiful story of David’s kindness. David had asked, “’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’” (9:3). David, I suppose, owed nothing at all to this boy; still, he showed such great kindness to this direct descendant of Saul, the one who had so many times sought to kill David! And “Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons” (9:11).

I cannot not think of God’s kindness toward us. “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).

I was starving in the desert

For a crumb of living bread,

When the Lord my wand’ring footsteps

To his own pavilion led.

Tho’ the waves may roll around me,

Shadows to the hillside cling,

Yet I’m feasting, daily feasting,

At the table of the King.

At the table of the King,

I am feasting at the table of the King;

Of his goodness I am telling,

Of his wondrous love I’ll sing. -- Eliza E. Hewitt (19th century)