2 Samuel 9:7  “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” (NIV)

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King David was blessed by God largely because he did what was just and right. We see here another virtue that reflects the heart of God.

Kindness counts. 

David was kind and just for letting Mephibosheth live. He was far more extravagant than anyone would expect. He restored all the land that belonged to his grandfather, King Saul. He also set a permanent place at the table for Mephibosheth. 

Inviting someone to the table for every meal for the rest of their lives is likewise inviting them into every significant conversation that takes place there. Mephibosheth was privy to the kinds of conversations that would enable him to lead a rebellion against King David if he had a mind to do so.

Mephibosheth also required assistance to get to the table and to leave it. His handicap meant that he would be an inconvenience at every meal. King David did not consider that too much of a burden. His friendship with Mephibosheth’s dad made any kind of burden worth bearing. 

King David shows us an essential characteristic of leadership grace here. Everyone would have expected David’s actions to move in the opposite direction. Everyone, including Mephibosheth, rightly considered him a dead man according to the norms of the world in which they lived.

Kindness is God’s kind of power play. Mercy is God’s heart toward everyone who will receive it. Grace is always amazing, no matter how small or large the dose. Power plays that destroy lives on the way to the top may influence crowds, but kindness, mercy, and grace move the heart of God. 

Kindness is the kind of gift you can give away without ever exhausting its supply. Kindness often begets kindness. One of the secrets of long and loving marriages, long and loving friendships, long and loving work partnerships, is the ability to anticipate kindness from one another. 

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I will live the kind of life where others can anticipate kindness from me. 

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Our Father, we have received kindness after kindness from your loving hands. Make us ever more like you. Make us truly kind. May everyone we meet anticipate kindness from us and see evidence of your grace and mercy at work in our hearts and hands. Amen.