The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 246

Ver. 8.-" Tlie kindnus of God." David, settled on the throne and in his ne'\V metro- polis, recalle to mind the fallen house of Saul, not to destroy them, as was usual with Eastern monarchs, but to show them kindneBS for JonathRn's sake. In his inquiry after them he uses substantially the same phrase which Jonathan had used (1 Sam. xx. 14) when he took an oath of him that he would be kind to himself and bis family. "The kindness of the Lord," or "the kindness of God," is an expression descriptive of the highest and best kindness possible to man or angel. It is kindness which- I. FLOws FRO'M Gon. This is true of all the b."i.ndncss which exists amongst men. " Love is of God." All the love of men towards <'ach other strenms forth from the. fountain of Divine love, and should be thus regarded by those who nre the objects of it, he being praised for all. But this is emphatically true of Christian kindness. It originates in, and is a ml\nifestation of, the love of God in Christ. It is produced by the Holy Spirit 1\8 given to the disciples of Christ, and by means of the truth respect~ ing him (1 Pet. i. 22, 23). It is a product of regeneration. It is God's love dwelling iu human hearts and revealing itself in human lives. It is an element of "the Divine nature " of which Christians are "partakers" (2 Pet. i. 4). II. le EXERCISED FROM REGARD TO GoD. 1. It has its root, like all Christian graces, in faith towards God (Gal. v. 6). 2. It springs from gratitude and love to hirn for all hi6 goodness, especially for his redeeming love (1 John iv. 11). 3. His practised in. obedience to his commandments (1 John iv. 21). 4. It aims at his approval, 6. lt imitates him (Luke vi. 36; Eph. iv. 32). Hence it- IIL Is GoD-LIKE. As it is: 1. Disinterested. "Seeketh not her own" (1 Cor. xiii. 5). Kindness which is exercised with a view to personal advantage is not kind- ness but policy and commercial subtlety. 2. Ezpansive. Ready to help all who need, as far as power permits. Not restricting itself to the good and worthy, but "kind unto the unthankful and the evil" (Luke vi. 35) ; nor yet to friends, but extending to enemies (Matt. v. 44, 45, 48) ; nor to one's own sect in religion, but regarding with love all Christian brethren (1 John v. 1; Eph. vi. 24). Yet it is: 3. Discriminating. The Divine love is nnited with righteousness, and seeks righteous ends. Hence it cannot be the same thing, and displayed in the same manner, towards the righteous and the unrighteous, the obedient and the disobedient; and it mainly seeks to promote righteousness and salvation in all, and l'aries its methods ·accordingly. Christian love and kindness will be exercised with similar discrimination as far as is possible to men; and will seek supremely the moral and spiritual benefit of its objects. Indiscriminate benevolence does more he.rm than good. 4. Unsparing. "He spared not his own Son" (Rom. viii 32), and in him the love of God appears as self-sacrificing (1 John iii. 16) and bountiful (Eph. i. 3). Christian love possesses the same qualities of bounti- fulness (2 Cor. viii. 2, 3, \:1-11), self-denial, and self-sacrifice. It "endureth all things" (1 Cor. xiii. 7). 5. Constant. The love of God is long-suffering, persistent, and eternal (Ps. ciii. 17; exxxvi., passim). His children are like him in this respect also (1 Cor. xiii. 4, 8, 13). IV. Is NOURISHED BY CONVERSE WITH Gon. The acts and habits of devotion-read- ing, meditation, prayer, praise-bring us into closer communion with God, secure us more of his Spirit, open our hearts to receive the impress of his charactet, promote in us all those sentiments and principles towards him which issue In hearty love and kindness towards our brethren. Let us draw nigh continually to hini whose name iii Love, and we shall nod it ever more easy to be loving.-G. W. Ver. 13.-Eating at tlte king's tal!l,e. David, out of regard to the memory of his dear friend Jonathan, and mindful of his oath to htm, not only restores to his son Mephi- bosheth the forfeited property of Saul, and arranges for its cultivation by Ziba and his sons, but exalts Mephibosheth to the position of a constant guest at his own table," as one of the king's soru." So Mephibosheth "aid eat continually at the king's table." The circw:neta.nce may serve to remind us of the greater honour which good men enjoy: it is theiru to eat continually at the table of the King of kings. Oil. lX. 1-13.J THE SECOND nool{ OP SAMUEL. 251