The ninth chapter gives us David's kindness, or as he himself called it, the kindness of God, to a poor friendless one, the grandson of an enemy. It is moreover, a lovely picture of the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man (Titus 3:4). David, once rejected, his life sought so determinedly by the then king of Israel, that he was made a homeless wanderer and an exile, was now on the throne. God had seen to it that he should be exalted, no matter what the will of man might have been.
Could there be mercy, pardon, for any of the family of the would be murderer? Yes, it is God's delight to have mercy (Romans 3:24; 5:6-9; 11:30-36), when we should look for judgment unsparing from Him. Have we not, unitedly,—Gentile with Jew,—put Christ out of the world? Did not the Roman governor Pilate agree that He should be crucified? (See Luke 23:24-25). Yes, as the apostle Peter said in his stirring words to the people in Acts 2:23-24, "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it," and further (verse 36): "God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." And, marvel of marvels, whosoever believeth in Him, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life ( John 3.:16; 5:24).
David, far from planning to imprison or kill any of the family of Saul, asks who of them might be found in order that he should show him kindness. Ziba, the servant, tells him there is one of Saul's grand-children left, Mephibosheth by name; not alone a child of the enemy, he is lame on both feet, and far away from Jerusalem. But neither of these obstacles change David's purpose; in fact such an one, who could do nothing for himself, dejected, hopeless, was just the one upon whom he could bestow a rich gift of love; The first step taken is to bring the poor creature into his presence: he must be "fetched",—all the way, not part way after the young man has done his best. So the fifth verse tells us that Mephibosheth was picked up just where he was; it was equally true that he could do nothing to get to David, and that there was nothing for him to do but to receive what was offered in love. And this he did.
Have you, my reader, you who are reading this paper, have you received Christ as your Saviour? The way of salvation, God's salvation is very simple; there is nothing to do but to receive it, but it must be received, or you are eternally lost. God offers it to you. He says in His Word (Acts 13:39) that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. An enemy of God by nature and practice, He loves you, seeks you. Will you not open your stony heart to receive that love, the kindness of God?