Command 18: Do Unto Others
Study Question
Q: The consuming passion of King Saul was to kill David. When Saul died and David became king, why did David bring Saul’s grandson to his palace and treat him like a member of the royal family?
A: Hated by King Saul, hunted by soldiers, and constantly fleeing for his life, David was subjected to years of persecution. However, David made a covenant before God with Saul’s son Jonathan. Their love and commitment to protect each other was deep and binding.
When Jonathan died, David wanted to honor his covenant with Jonathan, so he asked if there were any surviving members of the household of Saul. David’s servants told him about Mephibosheth, who was a lame son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul. David issued an order for him to be brought to his palace. Mephibosheth may have reasoned that David was going to kill him. However, David said, “Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually” (II Samuel 9:7).
David honored his commitment to Jonathan by being sensitive to the needs that the members of Saul’s family faced after Saul’s death. In order to completely fulfill the command, “Do unto others,” we must have sensitivity towards their needs and remember our own times of helplessness. By envisioning the perfect response we would desire from others during times of crisis and then offering that response, we can be used as channels of God’s love.
Your Thoughts
Have you thought of another study question and answer related to this command? Share it with us.
This study question and answer is adapted from the Commands of Christ, Series 3, book. For further study, this book may be purchased from our Online Store.