May 19

David’s kindness to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9 is one of the most beautiful pictures of covenant love in the Old Testament. Though Mephibosheth was the grandson of Saul—David’s former enemy—David welcomes him, restores his inheritance, and gives him a permanent place at the royal table. This act of mercy flows not from politics, but from a promise David made to Jonathan.

In the very next chapter (2 Samuel 10 and 1 Chronicles 19), we see the stark contrast: David’s kindness is misunderstood by the new Ammonite king, who responds with humiliation and hostility, provoking war. These chapters together remind us that kindness is powerful, but it is not always reciprocated. Still, David chooses to lead with grace.

Psalm 89 lifts our eyes even higher. It begins with praise for God’s covenant with David:  “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever... You said, ‘I have made a covenant with My chosen one, I have sworn to David My servant’” (vv.1, 3).

Even when later verses wrestle with pain and perceived abandonment, the psalmist clings to the truth: God’s faithfulness endures, even when our circumstances shake.

Then in Acts 26, we hear Paul testify before King Agrippa. Like David, Paul is bold yet respectful, clear yet compassionate. He doesn’t just defend himself—he preaches Christ. His words echo God’s heart of mercy:  “I pray to God that... all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains” (v.29).

In David and Paul, we see a shared posture: courageous kindness. They honor God not just through victories, but through how they treat others—with mercy, humility, and the hope of restoration. This is the heart of the Kingdom: a table for the broken, grace for enemies, and truth spoken with love.

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