NBC Sunday School Manual For December 12, 2021 : Topic – DAVID ADMINISTERS JUSTICE AND KINDNESS
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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Sunday, December 12, 2021
TOPIC: DAVID ADMINISTERS JUSTICE AND KINDNESS
Devotional Reading:
Background Scripture reading: 2 Samuel 9
Lesson Scripture reading: 2 Samuel 9:1-7, 9-12
Golden Text: David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Samuel 9:1
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
— Discuss the likely reasons some highly placed persons oppress other people instead of administering justice and kindness to them;
— Identify some benefits of godly friendship;
— Understand and appreciate the administration of justice and kindness.
Introduction
When God gives people the opportunity to occupy a particular position, they act differently. While some use it as a weapon of revenge, a means to enrich themselves, enslave, and torture the people under their jurisdiction, others see it as God-given opportunity. They use it wisely to promote justice and show kindness to people around them. A story was told of two friends who grew up in the some community. While they were growing up, they did many things in common like going to school, forming, playing football and other popular games in the Town Hall. Eventually, one of them become a renowned politician after his university education while the other young man was in the village struggling to survive. As soon as there was an opportunity for employment, the politician considered his friend in the village dnd invited him to Abuja. He worked hard and made life comfortable for him until he become finanoidlly stable. This become his lifestyle until a considerable number of youths in his village became employed. He was loved by oil and often described by the youths as generous, simple, humble and kind-hearted. He realised his position was an opportunity to import lives and promote the welfare of people.
The focus of today’s lesson is the story of David who used his position wisely. Even as a king, he did not forget the covenant he made with his friend, Jonathan while he was alive. As a king who loves justice and fairness, he remembered the pledge and decided to show favour to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. David Summons Jonathan’s Son 2 Samuel 9:1-7
The story of David and Jonathan, the son of King Saul is one of the best friendship stories ever recorded in the Bible. Saul’s disobedience to God led to his rejection as king over Israel and the rise of David as king. As a result, Saul made several attempts to kill deid but never succeeded because the actions of his son, Jonathan (1 Samuel 19:4) who swore to love deid as much as himself (2 Samuel 20:17). David become king in Israel and Judah. He greatly lamented the death of Saul and his son Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:17-27). Nevertheless, deid acted in compliance with Jonathan’s plea, kept their sacred promise and showed kindness and loyalty to Jonathan’s family forever (2 Samuel 20:15). David asked if there is anyone left in Saul’s family to whom he could show loyalty and kindness for the sake of Jonathan according to his promise. Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul was brought to David in his palace through the help of Ziba, a servant of Saul’s family. David’s words of reassurance to Mephibosheth in verse 7 is surprising. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” Without doubt, the action of David is exemplary. No doubt, by summoning Mephibosheth, the young man would have been terrified. However, David’s motive toward Mephibosheth was wholly good, for the sake of Jonathan his father with whom he entered into an agreement to show kindness to his family forever. As a king in Israel, David ruled and made sure his people were always treated fairly and justly (2 Samuel 8:15), unlike some highly placed persons who derive pleasure in oppressing others. Some people do not bother about their previous relationship with acquaintances, instead they use their position as a weapon of revenge without minding the consequences. But David remembered Jonathan’s allegiance to him by giving him the symbol of his authority (1 Samuel 18:4) and also risking his life in his defence against his father, Saul (1 Samuel 19:1-7; 20:1-42). One of the challenges of the lesson is that Christians should know that whatever position they occupy; it is a privilege from God. Therefore, they are expected to use their stewardship of influence to promote love, pedce, unity and justice among the people to the glory of God, like King deid.
Discussion Time 1
1. Discuss the marks of godly friendship.
2. Why is it that some people do not remember the promises they hove mode in the post?
B. David Shows Fovour to Mephibosheth 2 Samuel 9:9-12
King deid is one of the few kings in the Bible thdt executed justice and kindness to people during their reign. According to verse 8, it is apparent that Mephibosheth had no inkling why David summoned him. Nevertheless, when he heard the words of assurance of daily provision and restoration, he bowed down and said to King David, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (A deep expression of self-abasement probably because of his physical disability). In verse 9, the king announced to Ziba, the servant of Saul, his restoration to Mephibosheth everything that belonged to Saul and his family. He commanded Ziba, his fifteen sons and twenty servants to farm the land and bring in the crops for Mephibosheth’s benefit. Without delay, Mephibosheth responded with gratitude and said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do.” The most exciting aspect of the story was that David kept his promise to Mephibosheth according to verse 10. He ate on David’s table like one of the king’s son and all the members of Ziba’s family remained as servants to Mephibosheth in Jerusalem.
David was a man who feared God. He graciously administered justice and kindness to those that did not deserve it. After all, the death of Saul and the apparent heir, Jonathan would have been an opportunity for him to inherit all their properties, yet he acted justly and mode it possible for Mephibosheth to enjoy the rights and privileges of his father, Jonathan and grandfather, Saul. This is in line with the Scripture verse: “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groon.” (Proverbs 29:2) When God-fedring people are in position of authority, some benefits like fairness, equity, peace, love and progress in the community are evident during David’s reign. The challenge to believers is that we should be ready to promote justice and show kindness to people whenever we have the opportunity instead of being oppressive and cruel.
Discussion Time 2
1. According to the passage, all the members of Ziba’s family became servants of Mephibosheth and not King David. Discuss the lessons Christians can learn from this.
2.|dentify some qualities of godly friendship.
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity
~▪︎ Present a short drama of two friends making a vow to remain faithful to each other till death.
-▪︎ Let each class member write down at least three things they like and dislike about their friends. They are to read them aloud for the class to discuss.
Take Home
• Christians should endeavour to keep their promises and break down artificial barriers that separate people.
• We should have regard for other people, no matter their backgrounds or physical disabilities.
• Believers are called to show kindness, even to those who are unable to return the favour
• We should use our position to help people rather than oppress them.
• God depends on us to do uncommon things that will bring glory to His Name.