2 Sam
9:1, 6-8 (ESV) And David said, "Is there still anyone left of the house of
Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" . . . 6 And
Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his
face and paid homage. And David said, "Mephibosheth!" And he
answered, "Behold, I am your servant." 7 And David said to him,
"Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father
Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you
shall eat at my table always." 8 And he paid homage and said, "What
is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?"
NOTE: What stands
out in this passage is that David sought out good to do. He did not sit back
and simply respond to life by doing good, as he ought, but took an active
interest in doing what was right. Mephibosheth is lame because his nurse either
dropped him or he fell because of the haste in such a way as to damage his
feet. The response of Mephibosheth suggests he is much older at this point in
the story. David's recognition of him suggests he was older than a baby when he
fell, since David would hardly remember Jonathan's baby. So, it is not
completely impossible to suggest that this story occurs much earlier in David's
reign than is suggested by the placement in 2 Samuel. Additionally, Jewish
literature placed thematic position more important than chronology. But
whenever it occurred, it shows David actively looking to do good.
I fail at this. I
wait for events to occur and then seek to do the right thing--which is
certainly a good thing. But a better example is to actively look and search for
things that I can do that would bring good to others. I think the keys are
asking the right questions and having an observant attitude.
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