The Character of Kindness

“…So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.”
2 Samuel 9:11b

What does kindness truly look like in practice? What acts on the part of humanity best encapsulate the character of compassion? To a world that sees no evidence of God’s love these two questions rise to the surface. Consequently, the negative outlook these questions typically frame help both atheists and agnostics justify their belief that either God does not exist or that He does not care enough to intervene in the affairs of mankind. But nothing could be further from the truth. God is a generous God and He is a holy God. He asks that we mirror His divine disposition and reveal a spirit of kindness in our communities. But in our everyday frenzy of self-centered concerns we often bypass the urgency to exercise compassion towards others. Far too often, we choose to focus solely on our own personal bubble, or we choose to harbor grudges against those who have wronged us. But both of these pursuits prevent us from living out a kind heart in a culture that desperately needs to see it.

God’s followers need Scriptural encouragement to combat the fleshly impulse to repel the application of godly kindness. And one such positive example is presented to believers in 2 Samuel 9. In this biblical account, King David had firmly established his position as the successor to King Saul. As we previously reviewed in prior blog posts, Saul was a man who spent the latter part of his life trying to track down David and murder him in cold blood. Jealousy of God’s anointing on David caused Saul to lose all sense of reason, or accept God’s ultimate plan. But eventually Saul died, which paved the way for David to embrace the call of leadership that God had given him so many years earlier. Many transitional skirmishes and rebellions kept Israel divided for a period of time after Saul’s death, but that was effectively put to rest in 2 Samuel 9.

As King David reflected on his blessing as God’s anointed leader he recalled a promise that he had made to Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s friend (1 Samuel 20). Sadly, Jonathan perished in battle, but the covenant David established with his former comrade was still very fresh in his mind. The oath between Jonathan and David secured David’s loyalty and grace to Jonathan’s family should Jonathan unexpectedly die before David became king, which obviously came to fruition. So it came about one day that David gathered his royal staff and asked if anyone was alive from Saul’s family, besides Michal, Saul’s daughter, who was married to David. A servant named Ziba, who once worked for King Saul, happened to be in Jerusalem and was called into David’s presence. Ziba informed David that Jonathan had a living son named Mephibosheth, who resided in the region of Lo Debar.  

Shortly thereafter, Mephibosheth was taken from Lo Debar and escorted to Jerusalem. As Mephibosheth was ushered into the throne room of the king he surely must have thought the worst. Would he be given an appointment with an executioner? Would his life be snuffed out after ridicule or torture? After all, what king exercises kindness to a former king’s family when it is perceived publicly as a rivalry of power? But David was a man like no other. He encouraged Mephibosheth not to be frightened and announced that he was restoring all of King Saul’s property rights and fortunes to Mephibosheth. Furthermore, he asked Mephibosheth to relocate to Jerusalem so that he and his family could enjoy a seat daily at King David’s dinner table.

Mephibosheth was instantly elevated from a fugitive to a guest of the king. Overnight, he went from rags to riches. His honor and status was essentially on par with David’s sons, giving him prince-like status. David’s generosity towards Mephibosheth was a promise fulfilled. He made a pact with Jonathan to not harm his family should Jonathan pass away. But David took this promise one step further. He made Mephibosheth a noble and a privileged member in the royal family. The significance of this kindness-laden deed speaks volumes to David’s character. There was no external mandate to engage in such lavish good will per se; it was an internal prompting. David recognized God’s benevolence in his life and he, in turn, longed to share the divine benevolence with others, including the family members of his former would-be assassin: Saul.  

 
There was something rare about David’s heart. It was not cold or calculating; it was considerate and compassionate. It was not distant or dead; it was disciplined and devoted. It was not fake or false; it was faithful and forgiving. The man of God was a man of tremendous kindness. Whatever David did, he did extravagantly and wholeheartedly. Truly, David was a man cut from the same spiritual cloth as God. Bear in mind, Scripture does not indicate that Mephibosheth did anything worthy of David’s kindness. Therefore, David’s generosity was unexpected and unmerited. But that so clearly resembles the grace of God. Humanity collectively did nothing to earn God’s favor, but He chooses to bestow blessings and privilege upon us anyway. Therefore, how can we overlook the urge to share undeserved grace and gentleness to our fellow man? How can we not reveal a character like David’s – a character of kindness?

The Wonder of Worship

“David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs…”

2 Samuel 6:5a

 

Worship. It can be defined as either the reverence given to a divine being, or the extravagant respect rendered to an object. The subtle wording difference separating the two focal points fundamentally transforms the underlying priorities and pursuits of our lives. Worship should be reserved for humanity’s daily offering to God, but so many times we choose to present our heart’s attention to trinkets, or idols. Clearly, this is not how God intended it to be. Scripture affirms that no obsession should overtake the obsession to know the Lord and be enamored with Him. His love, knowledge, and power merit our undying dedication and admiration. But to engage in an undying, divine dedication and admiration mankind must bring itself to a state of humble submission, and resist the temptation to allow other fixations to divert us from strengthening our relationship with God.

 

Numerous biblical passages highlight the disastrous ramifications of worshipping anyone or anything but God: Adam and Eve’s desire to chase God-like status (Genesis 3), the Hebrew nation’s desire to craft a visible, false god made of precious metal (Exodus 32), and Achan’s desire to steal unpermitted loot from conquered settlements (Joshua 7). Therefore, the Scriptural moments that underscore peoples’ willingness to elevate praising God over everything else are rare and refreshing. And such a moment is presented in 2 Samuel 6. The past few blog posts have addressed verses in 1 Samuel, which calls attention to David’s hurdle-ridden ascension to the throne of Israel. The would-be king encountered much heartache and pain before he was given the reigns to lead a nation. God removed the relational crutches of David’s life and compelled David to find a revitalized ability to lean on God like never before. David was eventually crowned king of Israel officially in 2 Samuel 5. The long-awaited day had finally arrived. No doubt, this event was met with excitement and relief on David’s part.

 

But the thirty year old king wasted no time in getting civil affairs in order. David relocated from Hebron to Jerusalem, perhaps because the Jerusalem territory provided a more defendable position in the elevated, mountainous terrain. And when the Philistines learned that David had become Israel’s second king they renewed their unending war campaign against the Hebrew people. So David and the Israelite army fought the Philistines on two different occasions, and routed the fearsome foes both times by seeking God’s guidance and counsel. After this, David set out to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant and take it to Jerusalem. In an effort to speed the journey from Baalah to Jerusalem, David condoned the construction of a cart to transport the holy artifact in a more expeditious manner, even though God had specifically instructed the Ark of the Covenant to be hand-carried by use of gold-plated wooden poles (Exodus 25:15). The penalty of ignoring God’s explicit instruction on the matter resulted in the death of Uzzah, who tried to steady the chest as it was shifting in route. After this, David was dismayed and placed the chest in a nearby residence. But shortly thereafter he reignited the fire to have God’s presence close-by symbolically (represented through the proximity of the Ark of the Covenant). David then had the chest removed from its temporary quarters and moved to Jerusalem, presumably according to the proper transport protocol.

 

As the Ark of the Covenant made its way into Jerusalem David was overwhelmed with exuberant praise. He leapt and danced with great enthusiasm. He initiated the presentation of burnt and peace offerings. As he led the people in worship, his wife, Michal, observed David’s lively conduct with contempt. She perceived David’s animated display of enthusiasm to be unbecoming of a king. But David was a man after God’s own heart and his heart longed to unashamedly honor God, even if it entailed an ecstatic spirit and a passionate posture. The king of Israel had a firm grasp on a timeless truth: there is wonder in worshipping God. That the Maker of heaven and earth would so compassionately reach out to His creation is nothing short of astounding. David’s astute hold of this consideration induced him to exercise a jubilant, energetic veneration of God.            

 

Consider the sharp contrast between David and Michael through this account. The king was submerged in a worship-filled attitude of astonishment whereas his wife was submerged in a disdain-filled attitude of anger. In God, David was satisfied and happy. In her husband (and in an incorrect assumption of civil behavior), Michael was scornful and hateful. The opposing focal points generated completely different worldviews. This begs the question, “What is our life engrossed with?” Is it God, or something/someone else? David’s example underscores that God is the goal and purpose in life. To know Him. To respond to Him. To be captivated by Him. To praise Him. To accept His love and reciprocate it to the world. There is an inexhaustible joy that comes from a fellowship and nearness to God. When we feel His presence and we are engrossed in His heavenly message we are wholly placed in an atmosphere of joy, a joy that can overcome past or present pain-filled memories. This was at the heart of David’s dance-filled demonstration of worship. He possessed a joy, a joy that seemed foreign to many others, including Michal, his wife. But this did not deter the king from engaging and exercising the wonder of worship. After all, David was not concerned with how others perceived it; he was only concerned with presenting his wonder-filled worship offering directly to God.

The Blame Game

“David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.”

1 Samuel 30:6

 

It always seems that in tragic circumstances mankind looks to find someone or something to blame. After all, clarity often eludes us when we are fighting back tears and fighting back heartache. Somehow cause and effect relationships tend to give us some false sense of understanding in grief-filled times. But no matter how hard we search to lay the liability for discomfort on another we forget that nothing can ever comfort us like God can. Whether in travesty or triumph, maintaining and deepening a relationship with the Lord should be our central pursuit.

 

The last few blogs have focused on the years David lived prior to becoming king over Israel. Scripture highlights some impressive moments in David’s youth: being anointed the next king by Samuel the priest, slaying a fearsome giant named Goliath, and being employed in Samuel’s court to soothe the king when he became vexed with a depressed spirit. But just as quickly as these biblical memories are established we read that David became public enemy number one in Israel. Saul’s jealousy of David’s popularity and his bravery caused the king to desire David’s death. A fugitive existence for the shepherd boy ensued, which led David to zigzag inside and outside surrounding territories for several months. In fact, the entirety of David’s renegade running encompasses some eleven chapters in 1 Samuel, implying that David’s years hiding from Saul were many and treacherous.

 

As the time for David’s exile came to a close there was one dramatic event that nearly brought about yet another premature death experience for the future king of Israel. The setting for the incident is pretty remarkable. As a last ditch effort to evade Saul’s murderous grasp, David and his brigade sought refuge in Philistine land, which in and of itself is incredible because the Philistines were the most reviled enemy nation of Israel in the Old Testament. To show David’s loyalty to the Philistine people he and his fellow men marched with the Philistines to join them in battle against Israel (although one wonders if David would have found an alternate way of attempting to combat his own brethren had it come to that). But the Philistine rulers did not endorse David joining their ranks and sent David away from the battle staging area. As David and his men returned to their temporary home, Ziklag, the Amalekites attacked the city, likely knowing it was practically defenseless with the Philistines away on a war campaign. The Amalekites burned Ziklag and took the women and children away as their captives.

 

Imagine the emotional upheaval that transpired in David’s heart. Just a few days prior, God had miraculously intervened and released him from a no-win situation by excusing his involvement in the Philistine/Israel battle through the directive of the Philistine rulers. In gratitude and relief he and his men made their way to Ziklag to reunite with their families. But as they neared the town they likely saw smoldering smokestacks filling the sky. In disbelief, they beheld a decimated city. Their world was instantly turned upside-down. Joy became sorrow. Hope became bitterness. Victory became loss. And what happens when our lives are suddenly flooded with sorrow, bitterness, and loss? We look for someone or something to blame. And David’s men pointed accusing fingers at David. 1 Samuel 30:6 denotes that their pain and anger was so great that they openly discussed stoning David on the spot. David had been spared from Saul’s hand on more than one occasion but now he found himself minutes away from a deathly treason from his own fellow fugitives.

 

So how did David respond? He turned to God. How many of us can honestly say that we would do what David did in this situation? David inquired of God rather than in himself or other men. With his emotions screaming out for action, David reacted by seeking God’s will, guidance, and blessing. He was patient and disposed to waiting on God, even though his life literally hung in the balance. David chose God in a moment of utter vulnerability and sadness. The Lord was clearly his rock and refuge. His shelter and source of strength. Through each day and each trial we have opportunities to place our faith and trust in God. Will we submit to God or try to overcome adversity through our own efforts? David revealed his believed in the former. He fortified his spirit in God. We should endeavor to do the same. 

The Chaos of Conflict

“But David thought to himself, ‘One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul…’”
1 Samuel 27:1
 

Last week’s blog focused on how David, the designated replacement to Saul’s royal throne, was ushered into a gauntlet of trials and tribulations, and yet managed to receive God-ordained encouragement in the midst of strife. The would-be king was a fugitive for many years. David crisscrossed his country and surrounding regions to avoid the murderous grasp of King Saul. But God’s benevolent hand was on the youngest son of Jesse and even when David entered a cave in Adullam in 1 Samuel 22 God revealed Himself in a most unusual and magnificent way. People of desperation and brokenness came from all over to reside with David. The down-and-out opted to share in David’s tragedy. The loner was no longer alone. God’s grace and comfort could still be found, even in a cave-dwelling experience.  

This lesson fast forwards many years past David’s temporary stay at a cave in Adullam. By 1 Samuel 27 David had endured much relocation just to try and stay ahead of Saul’s army. David was likely exhausted, discouraged, and losing hope. In fact, 1 Samuel 27:1 conveys that David started to believe Saul would eventually find him and kill him, thus voiding out God’s promise to establish David as Israel’s second king. But God has never broken a pledge and never will. He is the eternal covenant-keeping God Whose word is bond. But conflict, after all, has a way of defeating the mightiest warriors before the battle has ended, and David was one of the mightiest emotional and spiritual warriors in Scripture. Through the haze of conflict, David probably surveyed the potential outcome and determined that the odds of escaping Saul’s manhunt were heavily stacked against him.

Conflict was a cross that David had to bear for the sum of his life. Conflict with enemies outside Israel. Conflict with enemies within Israel. Conflict with family members. Some of the conflict was self-inflicted through negligence and disobedience. But some of the conflict arose from forces outside David’s sphere of influence or control. All of which speaks to a world that is wrecked relationally. Sadly, the sin of humanity puts God’s followers into conflict with God, with other people, and within ourselves. David’s life shines a spotlight on the relational conflict we continually face. But the once shepherd boy provides us some insightful conduct that modern-day believers should observe and follow.

David, the man after God’s own heart, was a man knit to God’s Word. And thus he found the strength to carry on even when all his future appeared bleak. David led a band of some six-hundred men, along with wives and children, through backwoods, caves, and enemy territories to survive day after day. He understood that each day was enough trouble of its own so it was best to give the one, true God each day, and let the Lord settle future matters in His divine plan. David was presented many opportunities to compromise his standards and abandon God, but, for the most part, he chose to believe in the Lord, no matter how misplaced his confidence seemed on the surface. The underlying message is that we, as God’s followers, need to serve the Lord each day and entrust Him with tomorrow. May the Creator of heaven and earth give us the confidence to carry through our days, and help us joyfully engage the chaos of conflict.  

Comfort in Emotional Cave-Dwelling

“David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred were with him.”

1 Samuel 22:1-2

Calamity. Strife. Hardship. Suffering. Life is certainly not without its share of setbacks. At one point or another we are bound to experience a disconcerting series of events that will test our resolve and character. And this is the setting in which we approach 1 Samuel 22. David had recently undergone a pendulum swing of sentiments. At the emotional mountaintop, David had been anointed by Samuel the priest (per God’s supernatural guidance) to replace Saul as Israel’s king (1 Samuel 16). Not long after, David showed immense courage and toppled a fearsome warrior and giant named Goliath (1 Samuel 17). People praised David’s bravery, which sparked a jealous rage in Saul. And shortly thereafter David was ushered into an emotional valley. David was forced to flee for his life because King Saul had determined to kill David. Beginning in 1 Samuel 19 David embarked upon a fugitive lifestyle. He crisscrossed Israel’s landscape, and even went outside to neighboring enemy territories to evade Saul’s vindictive grasp.

In 1 Samuel 22 David came to reside in the cave of Adullam. Interestingly enough, Adullam was not far from where David defeated Goliath. Furthermore, it was only some 13 miles west of Bethlehem, where David was raised. But even though the cave of Adullam was near David’s homeland a cave is still a cave and its cold, dark environment reflected the emotional state David likely was captive to upon his travels to Adullam. Realize that much had been taken away from David because of Saul. David had been stripped of his best friend, Jonathan, Saul’s son. He had been stripped of his wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter. He had been stripped of his service as a musician in Saul’s court. He had been stripped of his dignity and his ability to sleep without fear of dying a sudden, murderous death. All that David had left was a promise from God that he would be the next king of Israel, which contained an implication that he would somehow survive Saul’s homicidal quest. 

 

But nothing on the surface looked hopeful for David. He was not only at odds against his king, a king fully committed to exhausting the country’s resources in order to slay David, but he was at odds with his own countrymen for many were loyal to King Saul and if they discovered David’s whereabouts they would not hesitate to disclose David’s location, knowing it would likely lead to David’s demise. David was effectively on his own, which is a frightening place to find yourself. The giant-slayer swiftly became a cave-dweller. He went from being revered to being a renegade in mere moments. The heir apparent to the throne was reduced to running and hiding in caves just to stay alive. Life can turn upside-down without warning. But notice what transpired after David settled in the cave of Adullam: some four-hundred downtrodden people came to settle there with David too.

Suddenly, the loner was not alone. At first glance, this crowd of debtors and discontents may not seem like the optimal body of people that would provide solace to a crushed, devastated David. But God knew exactly what He was doing and revealed His sovereign hand in this situation. Who could better understand the depth of despair than those who were mired in doubt and disillusionment? Who could better relate to David than those who had lost much? Who could better seek comfort in pain with David than those who were themselves grief-stricken? But here is the underlying message about this chapter in David’s life: our foundation and footing is on God, and not anyone or anything else. Saul’s hunt for David forced David to rely upon God like never before. The Lord had to become the spiritual shelter in which David inhabited. When a person learns to trust God in all things and stand on His holy, everlasting word then he or she can become a mighty agent of God. This was true of David. It should be true of us.