Family Devotion: Finding the Kindness of God
- Andy Roberson
- Apr 20
- 3 min read
📖 READ IT
'David asked, “Is there anyone remaining from the family of Saul I can show kindness to for Jonathan’s sake?” There was a servant of Saul’s family named Ziba. They summoned him to David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba? ” “I am your servant,” he replied. So the king asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family that I can show the kindness of God to? ” Ziba said to the king, “There is still Jonathan’s son who was injured in both feet.” The king asked him, “Where is he? ” Ziba answered the king, “You’ll find him in Lo-debar at the house of Machir son of Ammiel.” So King David had him brought from the house of Machir son of Ammiel in Lo-debar. Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, fell face down, and paid homage. David said, “Mephibosheth! ” “I am your servant,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.” Mephibosheth paid homage and said, “What is your servant that you take an interest in a dead dog like me? ” Then the king summoned Saul’s attendant Ziba and said to him, “I have given to your master’s grandson all that belonged to Saul and his family. You, your sons, and your servants are to work the ground for him, and you are to bring in the crops so your master’s grandson will have food to eat. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, is always to eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do all my lord the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table just like one of the king’s sons. Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Mica. All those living in Ziba’s house were Mephibosheth’s servants. However, Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem because he always ate at the king’s table. His feet had been injured.' - 2 Samuel 9 CSB
🔍 DISCOVER IT
Mephibosheth never went looking for King Saul. The king went looking for him. Hidden
away in Lo-debar—a place whose name means “no pasture” —Mephibosheth lived with shame, fear, disability, and poverty. As the grandson of Saul, he had every reason to believe David would destroy him. Instead, David summoned him—not for judgment, but for kindness. David’s kindness was not based on Mephibosheth’s worthiness but on a covenant, he had made with Jonathan. Everything that followed flowed from that promise: restoration of land, a new identity, daily provision, and a permanent place at the king’s table. This is a powerful picture of the gospel. Like Mephibosheth, we were once spiritual fugitives—living far from God, unable to fix ourselves, and expecting judgment. We did not seek God because of our goodness; God sought us because of His grace. Through Jesus Christ, God extended kindness to us, not because we deserved it, but because He is faithful to His covenant love. Grace changes addresses. Grace changes identities. Grace changes tables. When the King calls your name, He does not remind you of your past—He restores your future.
💬 ASK IT
In what ways do you see yourself in Mephibosheth’s story?
Are there areas of shame or fear that still make you feel distant from God?
What does it mean for you today to “sit at the King’s table”?
Who might God be calling you to show His kindness to this week?
🧭 LIVE IT
If you are a follower of Christ, pray thanking God for his forgiveness and kindness to
your lost soul.
If you are not yet a follower or Christ, pray and ask Christ to save you from your sins,
death and distance from God. If you need help knowing how to take this next step,
please reach out to our ministry staff.
Finally, take time to show the kindness of God to someone this week? Who might
this person be? This can be done as a family or individually.