Let Kindness Rule
One of the longest-running bumper stickers I've seen is "Practice random acts of kindness." In the olden days, it was an intriguing message, and I always wondered who was behind it. Of late, it's popped up as a seasonal movement.
David was a model of kindness. What intrigues me is that he didn't act kindly just because it was the thing to do. Kind was who he was.
Remember that Saul was king, and he was always on David's trail, trying to kill him. Finally Saul was killed in a battle. Some men from the city Jabeshgilead buried him. “And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him. And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.” (2Sa 2:5-6)
David seems to have been a connoisseur of kindness. He recognized it and gave it. He noticed how people felt and how they treated other people. He was alert to that, and it meant something to him.
When David became king in Saul's place, it would have been customary to eliminate Saul's entire household, lest any spring up and claim kingship. But it turns out kindness ruled this situation as well. Jonathan was Saul's son and David's best friend. Jonathan knew that someday, David would be king, and he was OK with that. But he also knew that when David became king, it could mean the death of the entire family. So he spoke with David about that long before Saul died.
Jonathan said And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. (1 Sam. 20:14-15)
Time passed, and unfortunately, Jonathan died in the same battle as Saul. Here was David's first order of business. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. (2 Sam. 9:3-7)
There are too many other cases of kindness in David's life to point them all out, but one more. A man named Shimei came upon David and his army and cursed and threw stones at David. “But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD’S anointed? And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?” (2Sa 19:21-22) It was a day for celebration, not revenge. He kindly spared the man's life and chided those who wanted him killed.
Toward the end of his life, David wrote what he thought about the topic of kindness and mercy. It shows his heart. “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.” (2Sam 22:26-28)
It's little wonder that kindness is to be a top characteristic in our day. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Eph 4:32). It's also in the virtuous woman list. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (Prov. 31:26)
The point today is, let's make it a goal for kindness to be not just in our mouth, but in our heart, as it was in David's. Sometimes these characteristics can be put on. But this one seems to work best when it's sincere.