This ninth chapter of second Samuel is a very fine sample of the kindness of God. David, the
king, is chosen to set it forth in his treatment of a grandson of Saul, the enemy of David. Blessing
to this remnant of the house of an enemy no doubt foreshadows blessing for the remnant of a
nation in a future day. But we are here concerned in applying this picture to the fallen race of
man – and seeing the kindness of God extended to those deserving death.

Mephibosheth could expect no mercy at the hands of David; for in the usual course of things he
would be put to death. He comes before the king in great fear, for the king says, "Fear not, for I
will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake.

This poor man, lame on both his feet, conscious of being but a dead dog, is to receive all this
kindness for the sake of another.

Here is a picture drawn ten hundred and forty years before Christ, and all that time the love and
grace of God’s heart had been pent up, waiting that death when fully and consistently it might be
expressed; when John 3:16 could be read, believed and enjoyed; when God’s love overflowed Us
banks; and when His grace broke bounds or superabounded (see Rom. 5:20). The veil of the
temple was rent in twain -from the top to the bottom; it was God’s doing; and not only was it that
man might be within in righteousness, but that God might be out in grace.

Some reader may say I do not think God is kind; I have a thought that He is very austere. But is
not that because you do not know yourself? For when you know yourself as a sinner, then you get
to know God as a Saviour. When you confess your sins, then He forgives you because of what
Christ has accomplished.

Here is an outline of a study of this kindness of God. It was ABSOLUTE GRACE:"Is there not
yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? … for Jonathan’s
sake" (verse 3), like Titus 1:2, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised
before the world began."

It is also SEEKING GRACE, "Where is he"(ver.4). "For the Son of Man is come to seek and to
save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

And COMPELLING GRACE_"David sent, and fetched him" (ver.5); "For God so loved the
world, that He gave His only-begotten Son" (John 3:16; 4:10), and who could resist such pace?

It is UNCONDITIONAL GRACE_"I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan they father’s
sake" (v.7); "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shall
make them drink of the river of thy pleasure" (Psa. 36:8, also Eph. 3:18,19).

And ENNOBLING GRACE_"As one of the king’s sons" (v.11); "Having predestinated us unto
the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself" (Eph. 1:5; Heb. 2:10; John 14:2).

CONTINUOUS GRACE_"Eat continually at the king’s table" (v. 13); and see Psa.84:5:
"Blessed are that dwell in thy house:they will be still praising thee."

And HEART-WINNING GRACE_"At the king’s table and was lame on both his feet (v.13);
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rpm.5:6);
"Hold up my goings (says the Psalmist) in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not" (Psa. 17:5). So
the last thing mentioned is his lameness, as if to magnify the grace, with his feet under the table
out of sight; but his presence would be a constant reminder of the beloved Jonathan. "For Christ
also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (I Peter
3:18).

"How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation" (Heb.2:3).