The Heart of a King: A Compassionate Heart

Karl Ihfe examines 2 Samuel 9, where King David seeks out Mephibosheth, Jonathan's crippled son, to show him kindness. This story reveals three essential qualities of compassion that made David a man after God's own heart. First, compassion is personal—David called Mephibosheth by name, restoring dignity to someone who saw himself as "a dead dog." Second, compassion is active—David didn't just feel sorry for Mephibosheth but gave him land, servants, and a permanent place at the royal table.

Finally, compassion is born out of love—David's actions flowed from his deep love for Jonathan that even death couldn't diminish. Ihfe connects this to Jesus's compassion in the Gospels and challenges the congregation to learn someone's name this week, take action for one person, and remember that true compassion flows naturally from those who understand how much they've been forgiven, as Jesus taught in Luke 7:47: "whoever has been forgiven little loves little."

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