2Sa 9:1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?

In 2Samuel 7:1-17 David asked: “What can I do for God?” and he proposed to build a temple for the LORD. Now David asks another question: “What can I do for the house of Saul?” For Jonathan’s Sake - David had sworn to his friend Jonathan that he would "not cut off his kindness from his house forever" (1Samuel 20:15-17). David remembers his oath with Jonathan and though Jonathan is dead, he intends to keep the oath he had sworn to his best friend. It was customary in those days for the king of a new dynasty to completely massacre anyone connected with the prior dynasty. It is for self-preservation sake and to prevent an uprising made by someone from the prior dynasty. Hence, what David did was dangerous and out of step from “market” practice when he asked what he could do for the family of his enemy. Has it ever occurred to him that Jonathan’s descendants might take revenge and overthrow him?                                                    But David was a man of integrity. Never mind that Jonathan is now dead, a promise is still a promise. David was a man of his words. His action was not only based on feelings for his good friend, but also on the promise of a covenant. This is a true saying: “You are only as good as your word!” Indeed, people will judge us by whether we are persons of our words. If we say we’re going to do something, then we’d best follow through as people will judge us not only on what we say, but also on whether we keep our words. If we accomplish what we say we’re going to do, then our words hold power in the future; the result is we gain the trust of others. But, if we say and do not, we become liars and no one will trust us anymore. Nothing else in the world will hurt as much as a broken promise. “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:5). Those who do not keep their words are liars. And liars cannot enter heaven (Revelation 21:8). David’s question shows a great love for his dear friend, Jonathan. It’s not just about keeping promises; it’s also about love. Jonathan was his dearest friend. And therefore, any member of Jonathan’s family is his friend too. But isn’t Saul his enemy? Indeed, Saul hated David but David didn’t return with hate. David was kind to Saul all the time Saul wanted to kill him. David had two opportunities to kill Saul but both times he refused to kill his arch enemy (1 Samuel 24 & 26). David did not consider Saul an enemy.                                                                                                                                             Someone does not like you; he considers you an enemy. What about you? How should you consider him? Is he your enemy? Should you love him or hate him like he hates you? Our Lord gives the answer: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). It means that, if Saul were your enemy, you will pray for him and if he is in trouble, help him. It becomes us to follow the example of David and of Christ, and seek out those who may be in need of help. God wants us to love like Him (Romans 5:8). David remembered the kindness that Jonathan had shown to him; he wanted to return in kind. Is there anyone that you should be showing kindness and have not? Here is a warning: “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house” (Proverbs 17:13). People of this world are oftentimes guilty of the sin of ingratitude, of paying kindness with unkindness, and of returning evil for good. The Christian way is to be grateful and always remember a favour! (Colossians 3:15). Did you repay a kindness once shown to you?