2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18

Today’s passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%208,%209;1%20chronicles%2018&version=NIV

2 Samuel 9:3 – “The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet."

I love the story of Jonathan and David’s bond of friendship, so as I read 2 Samuel 9, I initially thought that was what this was all about…David making good on his covenant promise with his beloved friend Jonathan. But after further research and reflection, I realized that it is about much more. In the culture of King David’s time, Mephibosheth, as a descendant of Saul, would have been considered an enemy and a threat to David. And typically kings of that time massacred their rivals…they didn’t restore their lands and invite them to dine at their table as family

But David wasn’t a typical king. He chose to act in a way that was counter culture. I can only imagine the gossip that occurred around the water cooler on the day that David sent for his enemy. What a shock it must have been when everyone realized that David was reaching out in love & kindness rather than in hate and violence. David, very intentionally, sought out his enemy and showered him with the “kindness of God”. He fulfilled his covenant promise and in doing so, showed the nation that he was not acting on behalf of his own self preservation, but for God’s glorification.

Imagine how the talk around the water cooler would change if we did the same. What if we sought out our enemies and showered them with God’s kindness. What if we chose to live our lives counter culture? What would people say? Let’s give ‘em somethin to talk about…how about love?

Tody's blog submitted by Kelly Coxe