Practicing Kindness

2 Samuel 8:1 – 10:19

Primary Teaching Passage: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Sunday School Lesson for June 30, 2002

Outline of Passage

David’s Triumph as King (8:1-14)

David’s Officers of State (8:15 -18)

David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth (9:1-13)

David’s Victory Over the Ammonites (10:1-19)

Hints for Teaching and Applying Focal Passage

Meet Mephibosheth:

• His name means “shame”.

• He was the son of Jonathan, and grandson of Saul.

• Was seriously injured at age five, and as a result was permanently made lame. See 2 Samuel 4:4.

• He was a man who lived in constant fear for his life since it was customary for ruling kings to execute all descendants of the previous king. (2 Kings 10:1-7).

Note His Life’s Story (As suggested by Herbert Lockyer):

• He belonged to the royal line but was made a cripple by a fall (2 Samuel 4:4)

• He was remembered because of a covenant (1 Samuel 20:14,15; 2 Samuel 9:3,4).

• He was exalted because of the merits of another (2 Samuel 9:5,7)

• He was given a glorious heritage (2 Samuel 9:9).

• He lived a life of self-denial (2 Samuel 19:24)

• He was subject to persecution and slander (2 Samuel 16:3; 19:27).

• He cared little for material things (2 Samuel 19:30).

Note King David’s Character Traits:

• An inner desire to display mercy and kindness to the undeserving (9:1).

• A special sensitivity to the hurting and afflicted (9:7).

• A freedom from selfishness with personal possessions (9:9).

• A willingness to identify with others who are different (9:10).

• A commitment to live in the spirit of forgiveness (9:11).

Timeless Truths for Reflection

David serves as a picture or shadow of the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ given to undeserving sinners.

Mephibosheth reminds us of the redeemed and restored sinner made whole by the Master.