Kindness

A covenant means faithfulness to the highest degree, even to death, for better or worse.   #daybydaylw   Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!   ~~~   We begin 2 Samuel 9 with David asking the question, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” It is the strength and power of covenant that is on display for us here. You will notice that David mentions the word “kindness” three times in this opening section (1, 3, 7). Back in the history of David’s life, you will recall that David’s best friend was a man named Jonathan. But this was no insignificant man. Jonathan was King Saul’s son, the legitimate heir to Saul’s kingdom. But in a show of humility and recognition of the Spirit of God upon David’s life, Jonathan hands over to David his weaponry, and in essence declaring that David was to be the next king over Israel. From there their friendship deepened, and Jonathan routinely saved David from the lunacy of Jonathan’s father’s attacks. During one such instance, Jonathan speaks to David and says, “The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! Do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth,”1 Samuel 20:15. So when David says, “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake,” this is what David has in mind. The meaning behind “kindness” is not politeness or a nicety for a one time sake, but rather a flood of goodness. It is the term used for steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. This covenant that David made with Jonathan is what is on his heart. David had been busy bringing peace and rest to his people. And now, he wants to honor this covenant. He aims to keep this covenant. Fifteen to twenty years had passed since the time that covenant between David and Jonathan was first struck. And yet, David does not forget it. The kingdom of Saul has come and gone. And yet David is still searching to see if there is someone, somehow that he can be faithful to within Jonathan’s household. That is the strength, the binding nature of the covenant. David does not say, “Well, if anyone asked about it, THEN I will honor the covenant. No one has claimed this privilege, so I guess I can forget about it and move on.” No, David actually seeks someone out to investigate the situation to see if justice and kindness can be extended for Jonathan’s sake. This wasn’t just some promise made in the heat of a moment. This wasn’t just some ritual, or quick exchange that was never meant to be acted upon. No! This was not even a contract. This was a covenant, and a covenant means faithfulness to the highest degree, faithfulness unto death, for better or for worse. A love that commits itself to another by making its promises a matter of solemn, historical record. (Alistair Begg)