Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

without success to accomplish a work of which they are incapable,
while what they might do lies neglected. And because of this the
greater work is set back.
In his covenant with Jonathan, David had promised that he
would show kindness to the house of Saul. Remembering this, the
king asked, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul,
that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" He was told of a
son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth, who had been lame from childhood.
The nurse of this child had let him fall, making him a lifelong
cripple. David now invited the young man to come to the palace,
and gave him the private possessions of Saul for the support of his
household; but beyond this, the son of Jonathan was to be the
constant guest of the king. Mephibosheth had been led to cherish a
strong prejudice against David as one who had no right to the
throne, but the monarch's continued kindness won the heart of the
young man. Like his father Jonathan, he felt that his interest was one
with that of the king whom God had chosen.
After David had been established on the throne of Israel, the
nation enjoyed a long period of peace. The surrounding peoples
soon decided it would be wise to end open hostilities, and David
held back from aggressive war. At last, however, he made war
against Israel's old enemies, the Philistines and Moabites, and
defeated them.
Hostile Nations Plot Against David
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