Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
–2 Samuel 9:1
If you’ve been watching the national news or listening to the world events of today on your car radio, it’s easy to learn that many live by the motto “What have you done for me lately?”
Politicians vote according to party lines. Business men and women give gifts to those who give them gifts or promise to do so. Lobbyists financially support government representatives who “respect” the lobby’s best interest. And sometimes in the church we only invite to eat with us those who invited us before.
Many scratch the backs of those who have scratched their back.
Yet can you imagine showing kindness to someone simply according to the kindness you have received from another? Can you imagine showing kindness not according to how a person made you feel, or what they did for you — not even for what they could potentially offer you — but rather because kindness was given to you by others?
In the Bible, David models this through upholding a covenant he made with Jonathan, the son of King Saul — the same Saul who desired to kill David.
1 Samuel 20:15-16 records their covenant. Jonathan said:
“You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.”
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord require it at the hands of David’s enemies.”
As a result, when David gained power, he showed kindness toward the defenseless Mephibosheth — grandson of King Saul, son of Jonathan — because Jonathan was kind toward David.
Mephibosheth was crippled physically, as well as socially and economically because he was a descendant of the defeated King Saul. David restores to Mephibosheth the land of his grandfather and gives him a seat at the royal table — signifying “You are valued economically and socially, but also personally.”
Personal. Kindness that is subjective, not objective. Kindness by which David welcomes Mephiboshethinto into his circle, getting to know him beyond identifying labels of group, culture or family. Kindness that turns clouds of historical pain and fear into a united future.
David chooses kindness instead of toeing the party line.
David chooses kindness instead of revenge.
David chooses kindness instead of bitterness.
When considering, “How should I treat people I don’t know?” remember the kindness of others toward you. If that doesn’t totally move you toward showing them kindness, consider the kindness that God has shown you.
Pause right there …
That is the same kindness God is asking for you to share, whether or not people have been kind to you.
—Carl Ricketts Jr., MDiv, BCC, is director of Chaplain Services for Loma Linda University Medical Center.