Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 8-10; 1 Chronicles 18-19; 1 John 3; Psalm 60

“In fact, the Lord made David victorious wherever he went.” – 2 Samuel 8:14b

David became very successful on the battlefield, conquering his enemies and strengthening the nation of Israel. He conquered the Philistines when he took over their largest town. He had victory over the land of Moab, keeping some of the Moabites as his subjects, making them pay tribute money to Israel. He kept 1,000 chariots and horses for his own army, and made the Arameans his subject. They, too, paid tribute money. He collected the gold shields and large amounts of bronze from the Arameans, and his enemies began to give him gifts of silver, gold, and bronze. He dedicated all of these gifts to the Lord. And David was victorious wherever he went (8:6).

David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people. – 2 Samuel 8:15

DAVID SHOWED KINDNESS TO HIS FRIEND’S FAMILY

One day, David asked if there was anyone from Saul’s family still living. He did this because he longed to show kindness to them. When he found out that one of Jonathan’s sons was still alive but crippled in both feet (2 Samuel 4:4), he sent for him. Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth, bowed low when he was presented to David. This was a sign of deep respect, and it was his way of offering to become David’s servant rather than desiring the throne.

“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” – 2 Samuel 9:7

David placed Saul’s servant, Ziba, in charge of all the land he had given back to Saul’s family. Ziba and his fifteen sons, as well as their twenty servants, farmed the land and produced food for Saul’s family while Mephibosheth ate at David’s table. He was treated as one of David’s sons.

DAVID SHOWED SYMPATHY TO HIS FRIEND’S FAMILY

When King Nahash of the Ammonites died, David expressed his sympathy to his family because Nahash had always shown loyalty towards David. But the king’s son, Hanun, did not trust David’s intentions. He rejected David’s expression of sympathy and mistreated the ambassadors whom David had sent. When they realized that they had stirred David’s anger, they hired soldiers and prepared for the retaliation. But their army was no match for the strength of David’s troops.

This passage of scripture reveals the heart of Israel’s leader. David had a heart that naturally chose kindness to the son of a friend, to the grandson of a leader he had respected. David’s first reaction to the news of King Nahash’s death was to show sympathy to the family of the one who had shown him loyalty.

God is calling all of us towards compassion — towards sympathy and loyalty. Our relationship with Jesus changes us from the inside out. Daily we become more and more like the One who showed compassion when He sent His Son to be our Savior; we become more and more like the One who showed compassion to the hungry, who healed the crippled, who raised the dead. We become more and more like Jesus.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. – 1 John 3:16-19

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. – Philippians 2:1-5

Lord, give us a heart of compassion that finds joy in meeting the needs of others. May our first response to someone else’s grief or loss be sympathy. May our reaction to the circumstances of others be marked with concern and genuine care. Mold us into the person you created to be; shape our attitudes so that we have the same attitude that you had. Amen.