2 Samuel 8-10 open with David restoring the lands of Israel to his kingdom. God blesses him in all of his battles. David takes the booty from the battles and dedicates it to the Lord. The people of the other nations become servants to David and bring him tribute. Later the Ammonites and Arameans try to go against David. God blesses David and the armies of Israel. The nations become servants of Israel.

David seeks out any who are left from Saul’s household so that he show them kindness because of his friendship with Jonathan. Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth and one of Saul’s servants, Ziba, are still living. Mephibosheth is lame. David restores Saul’s land to Mephibosheth and sets Ziba and his household as his servants. Mephibosheth eats at the king’s table.

Even though Saul had treated David badly and as the new king he could kill all the members of Saul’s household, David’s love for Jonathan prevails. Jonathan had remained loyal to David even if it put him against his own father. David spared his household and blessed them. God blesses us because of Jesus’ love for us. When we deserve punishment and even destruction, God’s love for us through Jesus prevails.

In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul advises the church to clean out those who say they are believers and yet they continue to sin openly. He is concerned that just as even a little yeast leavens an entire loaf, even one who continues in sin corrupts the whole. Paul has apparently dealt with this issue before and is repeating it. While he has spoken about not judging others, he does seem to judge obviously sinful behavior.