The Promise David Kept

In 1 Samuel 20, Jonathan asks David for something that sounds strange at first. He asks David to be kind to him while he lives, and then to keep being kind to his family after he is gone. Why would a best friend need to ask for that?

The words. “And you shall not only show me the kindness of the Lord while I still live, that I may not die; but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever” (1 Samuel 20:14-15).

How kings worked. Back then, when a new family took the throne, they usually killed the old king’s family. That way nobody was left to fight for the throne. Jonathan knew David was going to be king, and Jonathan had children.

A different kind of king. So this was a serious request. Jonathan was asking David to break the rule most kings followed, and to let his children live.

What he did not ask. Jonathan never asked David to give up the throne, or share it, or wait. He accepted that the crown was David’s, because God had chosen David. He only asked for mercy for the people he loved.

A covenant. “So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David” (20:16). A covenant is a serious promise made before God. Jonathan made it with David’s whole family, not just with David.

Love like his own. “Now Jonathan again caused David to vow, because he loved him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul” (20:17). Vow means to make a solemn promise.

God as the witness. At the end Jonathan said, “May the Lord be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever” (20:42). God heard every word.

One more visit. Later, when David was hiding in the woods, Jonathan came to him and said, “You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you” (23:17). “So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord” (23:18).

Kept by both. A promise needs two people who keep it. Jonathan kept his part at the king’s table, when he spoke up for David even though it cost him. David would keep his part many years later.

What this shows about God. God’s own love is covenant love. “For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 136:1). He makes promises to His people and keeps them.

For you. Think of someone at home or at school who needs a loyal friend. Ask God to help you be kind to them this week, and keep showing it.

Many years later, Jonathan has died in battle. Saul has died too. David is king, just as God said. And one day David asks a question nobody expected.

David remembers. “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1).

The kindness of God. David asks again, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” (9:3). David wanted to show the same kind of love God shows.

One man left. A servant named Ziba answered, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet” (9:3). His name was Mephibosheth. When he was five, his nurse dropped him as she ran from danger, and he could never walk well again (2 Samuel 4:4).

Far from the palace. Mephibosheth was living in a place called Lo Debar (9:4). He had stayed far away, because he knew what usually happened to the old king’s family.

Afraid. When he came to David, he fell on his face. David said, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake” (9:7).

More than he hoped. David gave him back all of Saul’s land and said, “you shall eat bread at my table continually” (9:7).

A dead dog? Mephibosheth said, “What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?” (9:8). He knew he could not earn a place like that.

Real help. David told Ziba, with his sons and servants, to farm the land for Mephibosheth and bring in the harvest (9:9-10). The king’s kindness came with real help, not just kind words.

Like a son. David said, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king's sons” (9:11). He welcomed him just as he was.

For the rest of his life. This was not one dinner. Mephibosheth “ate continually at the king's table” (9:13), day after day, year after year.

Why? Mephibosheth could not fight for David or add anything to his kingdom. The only reason he sat at the king’s table was a promise made in a field years before, to a friend who was no longer there.

What this shows about God. This is how God treats us. We could never earn a seat at His table. Because of Jesus, God welcomes us, gives us a place, and calls us His children.

For you. Thank God for His kindness to you. Then look for someone who feels left out, and invite them to your table.