The King was David. Saul and his army had been defeated in battle, and now David was King. The natural thing would be for David to track down and kill anyone left of Saul’s family who could be a future threat. But no; he reached out in ‘the kindness of God’ to any of Saul’s family that was left.
You must read the whole story in 2 Samuel 9. It tells how King David found Saul’s grandson, a young man who was lame in both legs. He was hiding out in the desert, but David had him brought into his palace, gave him an honoured place and restored to him all that was his by inheritance.
King David had experienced the ‘kindness of God’ many times in his own life. There was a time when his life was under threat and he was hiding out in a desert place. He wrote Psalm 63 as a testimony of God’s kindness and love. He was in a “dry and thirsty land where there is no water”, but even in that situation he praised God, saying; “Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you, thus will I bless you while I live; I will lift up my hands in your name”.
We can all thank God for his kindness, and his love. It is by his love and kindness toward us that we are saved and restored to a place of honour (Titus 3 v4). Kindness is part of God’s nature; and by his grace, it is ours too. Both God’s love and his kindness have been poured out into our hearts, and by the power of his Holy Spirit, they can overflow into a world where kindness is an increasing need.
The Word of God speaks to us today: “I have loved you with an everlasting love, and with loving kindness I have drawn you” Jeremiah 31 v3. Kindness, motivated by love, breaks down barriers, uplifts, and restores. God, through Christ, has been kind to us. Let’s be encouraged as we rejoice in his kindness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit; pass it on. “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honour” – Proverbs 21 v21.
Be blessed, be encouraged, and be kind.
Eddie.