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b'Kindness. How many times have you heard that word? Growing up, I heard it all the time: \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Be kind to people.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d But what exactly is kindness? One of the best biblical examples I can think of involves David and a man named Mephibosheth. In the days of David, when a new family became king, all family members of the old king would be killed. Crazy, right? Well, when King Saul and his son Jonathan are killed in battle, David becomes the new king.\\nJonathan had a son named Mephibosheth. David, as the new king, was expected to kill all of Saul and Jonathan\\u2019s relatives, including Mephibosheth. But instead of doing that, David asks if any of Saul\\u2019s relatives are left who he can show kindness to. David had made an oath to Jonathan, who was his closest friend. When Saul wanted to kill David, Jonathan swore he would help David escape, and David swore he would show unfailing kindness\\u2014like God\\u2019s kindness\\u2014to Jonathan and his family (1 Samuel 20:12-17). So now David invites Mephibosheth to come to the palace. Not only that, but David also gives Mephibosheth everything that belonged to his grandfather Saul. Imagine being Mephibosheth, who went to the palace probably expecting to die but was instead given back the land of his ancestors. David also told Mephibosheth that he was to eat at the king\\u2019s table, an honor usually reserved for the sons of the king.\\nI can\\u2019t think of a better example of kindness than David\\u2019s kindness to Mephibosheth. In that time, it would have been perfectly legal and considered just for him to kill Mephibosheth, but instead of doing that, or even just letting Mephibosheth live, David treated him as a son.\\nDavid\\u2019s kindness foreshadowed the amazing kindness God has shown His people. When we were God\\u2019s enemies, helpless to save ourselves, Jesus showed us the ultimate kindness by dying for us. (Who dies for their enemies?) Not only that, but God welcomes us into His family as His children, even His heirs. Through Jesus\\u2019 life, death, and resurrection, He not only saves us from the death we deserve, but also welcomes us to eat at His table with Him. \\u2022 Kimberly Brokish\\n\\u2022 What are some ways people have shown you kindness? How has God shown you kindness? \\n\\u2022 Once we\\u2019ve put our trust in Jesus\\u2014who perfectly embodies kindness\\u2014His Holy Spirit is in us and empowers us to be kind, even to our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44; John 15:4-5; Galatians 5:22-23). How might remembering and receiving God\\u2019s kindness to you help you show kindness to others?\\nSo the king asked, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Is there anyone left of Saul\\u2019s family that I can show the kindness of God to?\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d 2 Samuel 9:3a (CSB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nGenesis 12:1-3; 15:13-16; Exodus 3:1-17; Joshua 1:1-9'