Bible Studies
David Shows the Lovingkindness of the Lord (1 Sam. 20:14-16, 42b)
Series: Studies in First SamuelIntroduction:
1. Already we have discussed the close relationship between Jonathan and David. We have suggested that the closeness of their relationship is founded upon their common trust in the Lord. 2. In this text, Jonathan asks David to show him the lovingkindness of the Lord. Some elements of the statement give the translators trouble and so in the English some elements of the appeal are not clear. But if I understand it, Jonathan asks David to show him kindness during his life, and to show kindness to his descendants forever. 3. So the covenant not only obligates David, but also obligates David’s descendants. 4. The phrases, “May the Lord require it” (v. 16) and “The Lord be between you, and between my descendants,” call upon God not only as witness of the covenant, but as the one David would answer to if he violated the commitment. God then is the one who governs the relationship between the two families. 5. God is the one who governs all our relationships and his lovingkindness is the controlling principle governing our treatment of one another. 6. But what is this lovingkindness? What does it look like in real life manifestation? How can we show the lovingkindness of the Lord in our relationships? 7. These are all very practical questions and questions I believe we can answer in this text. And I would remind you that David is described as a man after God’s own heart. Showing the lovingkindness of the Lord is at least one way David demonstrated that he was “a man after God’s own heart” (I Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22).Discussion:
I. David made a covenant with Jonathan to show lovingkindness.A. The English word “lovingkindness” is an attempt by the translators of the NASB to convey the idea suggested by the Hebrew “hesed.”
1. In Greek the divine “hesed” is translated with the word “charis” which is translated “grace” in the N.T.
2. “Hesed” combines the ideas of love and kindness thus the word “lovingkindness.”
B. Other places the word occurs.
1. Psa. 33:5: “He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.”
2. Psa. 103:17: “The lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children.”
3. In Isa. 63:7-9 defines the character of God’s lovingkindness.
a. He granted compassion.
b. He was afflicted in their affliction.
c. “He saved them. In His love and mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.”
C. So this is what Jonathan is asking of David.
1. He wants David to grant compassion to his descendants.
2. He wants David to share the afflictions of his descendants.
3. He wants David to be loving and merciful and carry his people.
D. No greater example of this than David’s treatment of Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 9).
1. Generally when there was a change of dynasty among ancient peoples all the descendants of the past king were executed. Both sons and grandsons of the past king were generally killed.
2. But king David does not follow this procedure,instead he does something quite opposite.
3. He identifies Saul’s descendants—one left, Mephibosheth. David gave Mephibosheth, crippled in both feet, all that belonged to Saul. He fed him at the king’s table.
4. David’s explanation—“that I may show the kindness of God for the sake of Jonathan” (2 Sam. 9:3, 7).
E. The lovingkindness that David manifests is not based on Mephibosheth deserving it in any way. The kindnesses manifested are unmerited, founded completely on David’s good will as governed by the good will of God. When we manifest the lovingkindness of God to others this is the way it is done. It is not based on the other person deserving it. It is not withheld because the other person does not respond appropriately. It is kindness manifest unconditionally.
II. David demonstrated lovingkindness to Saul even though Saul sought his death (1 Sam. 24:1ff).A. Saul repeatedly sought to kill David.
1. Hurled a spear at him when David was playing his harp for him (18:1ff). This was shortly after David had killed Goliath.
2. Saul put a contract out on David’s life through Jonathan and all his servants (19:1ff). Jonathan persuaded his father to cancel the contract.
3. But again Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear (19:10).
4. Saul sent assassins to David’s house, but Michal let him down through a window and he escaped (19:11ff).
5. Saul planned to kill David at the new moon festival but David did not come to the festival (20:1ff).
6. David fled from place to place to avoid Saul. The priests of Ahimelech helped David by giving him food, inquiring of God for him and giving him the sword of Goliath. Saul killed 85 of the priests, struck the city of Nob where they lived and killed men, women, children, infants, oxen, donkeys and sheep because they had helped David (22:11ff).
7. 1 Sam. 23:14 says, “Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.”
B. David’s response was, “Let the Lord be the judge and avenger (24:12-15).
1. In Engedi David and his men were hiding in a cave and Saul went in to relieve himself.
2. David refused to kill Saul. “Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed” (6).
3. Rom. 12:14-22.
4. 1 Pet. 2:21-25.
C. Men said that David was intending to harm Saul (24:9). Thus they energized Saul’s attack against David.
1. Be careful whom you are listening to. Voices of fear, anger and suspicion lead to murderous intention.
2. Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness (24:13).
D. Saul wept when he realized that David had manifest lovingkindness to him (24:16ff).
1. Many times the same thing will happen when you manifest lovingkindness to those who seek to destroy you.
2. But whether they do or not your job is to manifest the lovingkindness of the Lord.
III. David manifested lovingkindness even though Saul again sought him with malicious intent (1 Sam. 26:1ff).A. David hid from Saul trying to avoid conflict, but Saul came after him again.
B. David and Abishai, one of David’s leading men, slipped into the camp of Saul while all were asleep.
1. David was in the tent of Saul while Saul was asleep, his water and his spear at his head.
2. Abishai would have killed Saul, but David restrained him. “Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt?” (9).
C. David recognized that again Saul had been influenced, not by the Lord, but by the voices of men (19).
D. Saul confessed that he had sinned (26:21ff).
Conclusion:
1. David manifested the lovingkindness of God to Saul and to his descendants. 2. He did it even though Saul acted with murderous intent. 3. He did so even though Saul listened to voices of wickedness that communicated lies about David. 4. David’s lovingkindness was like God’s in that it extended to generations. 5. Scripture calls on us to manifest this same lovingkindness. 6. Lovingkindness has a powerful effect to transform hearts from enmity to reconciliation (Rom. 12:17-21).
