The question of how God continues to have a special relationship with the Jews is one that perplexes people. One answer is that Jews are beloved for the sake of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
But on what basis has God brought them back to their ancient land and preserved them in the face of implacable opposition and incredible odds? What part does the status of the patriarchs play today in the future of Israel?
The love between the two young warriors Jonathan and David was one that only those who have fought side by side in battle can understand. Despite the fact that Samuel’s anointing of David as Saul’s successor would prevent Jonathan from succeeding to his father’s throne, the young prince loved David as a comrade-in-arms.
In a secret meeting in a field with the fugitive David—who at the time was “one step from death”— Jonathan pledged his allegiance to the future king. In return he asked only that David show him “the kindness of the LORD” and extend that kindness to his house (dynasty) after the Lord had “cut off every one of David’s enemies from the earth.” (1 Samuel 20:14,15)
“So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, adding, ‘May the LORD pay back David’s enemies!’ ” Jonathan then asked David to repeat the oath, and swear that he would be loyal to him forever. (1 Samuel 20:17) The noble Jonathan loved David more than he loved himself.
More than 20 years later, David’s throne was at last secure. He had battled and beaten the Philistines. He had built for himself a palace of cedar. His sons now ruled as princes. The king’s soldiers garrisoned spiteful Edom. Tributes flowed in from nearby nations.
“And David reigned over all Israel, and executed judgement and justice to all his people.” (2 Samuel 8:15)
David’s nephew commanded the army. A scribe chronicled events. The loyal Zadok was chief priest. In short, the affairs of the kingdom were in good hands.
“And David said, ‘Is there yet any left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ (2 Samuel 9:1)
“And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And the king asked Ziba, ‘Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I might show the kindness of God to him?’ And Ziba replied, ‘Jonathan has yet a son, who is lame on his feet.’” (2 Samuel 9:1,3)
David sent and fetched Jonathan’s son, and when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he fell on his face, and did reverence.
“And David said, ‘Mephibosheth.’ And he answered, ‘Behold your servant.’ And David said to him, ‘Fear not, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat bread at my table continually.’”
Mephibosheth was overcome. ‘What is your servant that you should look upon a dead dog like me?’
“Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, ‘I have given to your master’s son all that pertains to Saul and to his entire house. You, then, and your sons and your servants, shall till the land for him, and bring in the harvests, so that your master’s son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s son shall eat bread always at my table…as one of the king’s sons.’
“So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table, and was lame on both his feet.” (2 Samuel 9:13)
At five years of age Mephibosheth had been dropped by his nurse, as she fled after hearing that Saul and Jonathan had died in battle. (2 Samuel 4:4) Now a teenager, the crippled son of Jonathan had nothing to commend him to the king. But Mephibosheth himself was not the point—the covenant of kindness between David and Jonathan was the point.
When David looked at Mephibosheth, he remembered his beloved friend Jonathan. The crippled young man dining at the king’s table with David’s sons was a reminder of a covenant of kindness the king intended to keep forever.
Mephibosheth was not loved for his own sake—he was loved for his father’s sake. The fact that he was an unworthy cripple—a “dead dog” in his own eyes—made the covenant of kindness all the more remarkable.
What about today? Are the Jews as a people—and Israel the nation—still beloved for the fathers’ sakes? Or has God’s covenant of kindness ceased?
“The LORD did not set his love on you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all people, but because the LORD loved you and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers has the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of pharaoh king of Egypt.
“Know therefore that the LORD your God, he is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and mercy with those who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.” (Deuteronomy 7:7-9)
Just think: If the LORD preserved Israel as a people for thousands of years—while punishing them repeatedly for their many sins—why should he not preserve the modern-day nation of Israel?
Well, you may say, because many of its citizens are undeserving. But Mephibosheth was a cripple and David loved him for his father’s sake. He loved him because he had sworn a covenant of kindness with the lad’s father. How would Jonathan’s son have felt, sitting there with the king’s sons—dining with princes every day?
When David looked down the table and smiled at Mephibosheth, he did so while thinking of Jonathan. My dearest friend, he would have thought, you are long gone but you are ever remembered in my kindness toward your son.
God’s kindness to Israel continues for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s sake and His covenant will forever be remembered for its kindness. “The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 12:29) He is forever kind to His people.