Abraham with Lot
Abraham shows Gmilut Chasadim when he mustered 318 of his retainers born into his household, and pursued Lot’s captors as told in Genesis 14:12-16. Lot had separated himself from Abram as he had been attracted by the well watered land available in the Valley of Siddim (Gen 14:10) and pitching his tent near Sodom (Gen 13:12). Instead of drinking the water that comes from the God of Abraham, he looks to the god of this world. On hearing about Lot’s capture from the Fugitive (Gen 14:13) Abram resolves to do whatever it takes to rescue his nephew Lot. Abram overcomes any fear of confronting these kings and their powerful armies, and places his trust in the One True God he worships. He is prepared to lose everything including his own life for the sake of his nephew. He assembles his 318 men. At night1 he deploys them against the four armies of the kings led by Chedorlaomer (Gen 14:17) and routes them and pursues them. He recovers all the possessions and freed Lot in a miraculous way. He showed amazing trust in the God he worships.
Ruth with Noami
When Ruth made her declaration to Noami in Ruth 1:16-17 she was making a heart choice to give up everything of her past life to follow Noami. Even more than just following Noami, she was laying down her life to the God of Noami, the God of Israel. She did this all because of her love for her mother-in-law without thinking of any consequences of this choice as a Moabite coming into a Jewish community. This is an excellent example of Gmilut Chasadim.
Jonathan with David
Scripture states in 1 Samuel 18:1 “Jonathan’s soul became bound up with the soul of David; Jonathan loved David as himself.” They then made a covenant between them with Jonathan, the kings son, giving David his cloak, tunic with his sword, bow and belt (Gen 18:4). King Saul grew increasingly jealous of David and his accomplishments leading him to wanting to kill David. In Genesis 19:2 Jonathan warns David of this and then goes to his father, King Saul and pleads David’s case successfully. However this is temporary with Saul unsuccessfully attacking David with a spear. After this Michal, David’s wife helped him escape a threat on his life by the king deceiving and lying to her father, the king because she loves David. David after seeking help from Samuel at Ramah, he seeks help from Jonathan again. Jonathan is prepared to do anything for David (Gen 20:4) even face his father’s rage which he does in Genesis 20:30. He then gives David a secret warning to flee from Saul and to go into exile. Jonathan even though he is inline to succeed his father, willing gives up any right to the throne as stated in Genesis 23:17. Jonathan is motivated by pure love for David and is prepared to do anything for him as a sign of pure Gmilut Chasadim.
1 as translated ‘divided himself against them’ in The Orthodox Jewish Bible
Abraham shows Gmilut Chasadim when he mustered 318 of his retainers born into his household, and pursued Lot’s captors as told in Genesis 14:12-16. Lot had separated himself from Abram as he had been attracted by the well watered land available in the Valley of Siddim (Gen 14:10) and pitching his tent near Sodom (Gen 13:12). Instead of drinking the water that comes from the God of Abraham, he looks to the god of this world. On hearing about Lot’s capture from the Fugitive (Gen 14:13) Abram resolves to do whatever it takes to rescue his nephew Lot. Abram overcomes any fear of confronting these kings and their powerful armies, and places his trust in the One True God he worships. He is prepared to lose everything including his own life for the sake of his nephew. He assembles his 318 men. At night1 he deploys them against the four armies of the kings led by Chedorlaomer (Gen 14:17) and routes them and pursues them. He recovers all the possessions and freed Lot in a miraculous way. He showed amazing trust in the God he worships.
Ruth with Noami
When Ruth made her declaration to Noami in Ruth 1:16-17 she was making a heart choice to give up everything of her past life to follow Noami. Even more than just following Noami, she was laying down her life to the God of Noami, the God of Israel. She did this all because of her love for her mother-in-law without thinking of any consequences of this choice as a Moabite coming into a Jewish community. This is an excellent example of Gmilut Chasadim.
Jonathan with David
Scripture states in 1 Samuel 18:1 “Jonathan’s soul became bound up with the soul of David; Jonathan loved David as himself.” They then made a covenant between them with Jonathan, the kings son, giving David his cloak, tunic with his sword, bow and belt (Gen 18:4). King Saul grew increasingly jealous of David and his accomplishments leading him to wanting to kill David. In Genesis 19:2 Jonathan warns David of this and then goes to his father, King Saul and pleads David’s case successfully. However this is temporary with Saul unsuccessfully attacking David with a spear. After this Michal, David’s wife helped him escape a threat on his life by the king deceiving and lying to her father, the king because she loves David. David after seeking help from Samuel at Ramah, he seeks help from Jonathan again. Jonathan is prepared to do anything for David (Gen 20:4) even face his father’s rage which he does in Genesis 20:30. He then gives David a secret warning to flee from Saul and to go into exile. Jonathan even though he is inline to succeed his father, willing gives up any right to the throne as stated in Genesis 23:17. Jonathan is motivated by pure love for David and is prepared to do anything for him as a sign of pure Gmilut Chasadim.
1 as translated ‘divided himself against them’ in The Orthodox Jewish Bible
