“And David said, is there yet any that is left in the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” – 2 Samuel 9:1 (KJV)
David was a typology of Christ in the Old Testament. Like he killed Goliath and all Israel came out of their hide out in the valley of Elah, so Jesus spoilt principalities and powers, and led the church out of bondage in triumphant procession. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place” 2 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV).
Jonathan, the son of King Saul was David’s covenant friend. The bond of their friendship was so strong that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. As a result of their friendship, Jonathan became so loyal to David and he sacrificed his position for the friendship. Saul was envious of David; he saw David’s exploits and growing influence as a threat to his kingdom. King Saul did everything within his power to kill David but to no avail.
Unfortunately, Saul and his son Jonathan died in the battle with the Philistine. Rather than rejoicing for the death of King Saul, David mourned for several days. Not only was the death of his covenant friend Jonathan painful to David, he groaned in pain for the death of King Saul. Following the death of King Saul, all Israel came to crown David King. On his assumption of office as the new king of Israel, David was so mindful of the friendship he had with Jonathan. He remembered the sacrifice of Jonathan and so he decided to show kindness to the house of Saul for Jonathan’s sake. One can understand David wanting to show favour for the house of Jonathan but to Saul’s house is something that only mercy and favour can do. Saul did not deserve such kindness but that is grace, unmerited, unearned undeserved favour. Mephibosheth on the other hand, was not good enough to eat at the king’s table being lame at both feet and resident at Lo-de-bar, a place of low status. But like Mephibosheth, we too fell short of God’s glory, the fall crippled us morally, mentally and spiritually, we were far from God but grace drew us nigh.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for your amazing grace.
Rev. Vincent Diolu