Editor’s Note: This article was published in the August 1995 issue of the Connections Newsletter, the precursor
to this publication. Pastor Franklin Horne was our pastor then. Many of you will remember him, as well as his leadership in our church at that time. We hope you will be blessed by his words now, just as many were blessed by his words then.

When David became king of both Judah and Israel he inquired if there were any descendants of the house of Saul. After finding out about one son of Jonathan still surviving, David sent for him, that he “may show the kindness of God.” (2 Samuel 9:3)

Do we want to show the kindness of God to people around us? Now, the house of Saul was David’s enemy until Saul died. Except for Jonathan, all of Saul’s army had searched diligently for David to put him to death. But God had appointed David to be the next king of Israel, and God himself protected him.

When David asked for any descendants of Saul, many thought he would be justified for bringing justice on them; but this was not David’s plan. “For Jonathan’s sake,” David said. “I will show him kindness.” You see, David loved Jonathan as a brother.

Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, arrived at the palace, and when he came in the presence of King David, he fell prostrate on his face. Maybe he feared the worst was about to happen. David reassured him with these words: “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan...” (2 Samuel 9:7)

Mephibosheth was given all of Saul’s land and was guaranteed a place at David’s table, where abundant food was always served. Another thing about Mephibosheth was the fact that he was handicapped. He had been lame since he had been dropped by a nurse when he was very young. Most lame people, especially males, were outcasts in Israel. David truly did show “The Kindness of God”. Can we do any less?

This touching story of David’s kindness can and should inspire all of us to go and do likewise. There are those all around us who need our help. Some need our shoulder to lean on or our encouraging words (words to be strengthened by), others may need financial help to keep their children in church school or pay an unexpected bill. Whatever the need may be, we can show “the kindness of God” by helping those around us who have genuine needs.

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8, KJV) 

Pastor Franklin Horne, Connections Newsletter of the Cadillac Seventh-day Adventist Church, August 1995