2 Samuel 9
MEPHIBOSHETH was the son of Jonathan, David’s dear friend, who was the son of King Saul. Saul hated David and when David fled for his life, Saul hunted him among the caves and in the mountains, seeking to kill him. But God watched over David for He was going to make him king of Israel one day.
Mephibosheth was still a little child when the sad news came that Saul and Jonathan had been slain in the battle with the Philistines. His nurse, fearing that David in revenge might slay all the house of Saul, picked up little Mephibosheth in her arms and fled. As she ran she dropped him, and he was lame on both his feet for the rest of his life.
Like Mephibosheth, we have all had a fall. In the garden of Eden man fell through sin, and we are but sons of fallen Adam — lame, stricken by sin. Fallen man, unless redeemed by Christ, cannot walk one step pleasing to God.
After David was crowned king, instead of taking vengeance on the house of Saul, he sought to show them grace and mercy. “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him?” he asked.
He was told that Jonathan had a son, named Mephibosheth, who dwelt in far off Lodebar, a barren desert place. So King David sent his servants to bring Mephibosheth to Jerusalem. Poor Mephibosheth! How he must have trembled all along the way, wondering what King David would say, and when he came to David he fell on his face before him. But David spoke so kindly to him, and said, “Fear not; for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake.” He told him he was going to restore to him all the land of Saul his grandfather, but best of all, he said, “Thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.”
Mephibosheth was overcome by such kindness. He was only a dead dog, he said, and not worthy of such grace.
But so it was, Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem and day after day he sat at David’s table and did eat as one of the king’s sons. How David must have loved to look over the table and see Mephibosheth there, for in his face he saw the likeness of his dear friend Jonathan. And God looks down in love upon His redeemed children for in each one He sees the likeness of Christ, His dear Son.
This story is one of the gems of Scripture. For in David’s desire to show kindness to his enemies we see the heart of God going out in love to sinners in a world that crucified His Son. Yet guilty man is afraid to meet God, and perhaps the reader is one who fears to meet Him. But if you will come to Him and take the low place like Mephibosheth did, you will be surprised at the loving welcome that you will get. “Fear not,” said David to Mephibosheth, and God will delight to dispel all your guilty fear for Jesus’ sake, He who died to put your sins away.
It took but the word of the king, and from the dry and cheerless desert Mephibosheth was transported into the love, the joy and the plenty of David’s presence. David provided everything, and God delights, for Christ’s sake, to lavish the riches of His grace upon redeemed sinners whom He brings into His presence. They sit at the King’s table. They eat the “bread of God,” which is Christ Himself (John 6:3333For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (John 6:33)); they enjoy what God enjoys, for He only gives the best.
Mephibosheth grew to love David better every day, and those who dwell in the presence of Jesus enter more deeply into His love, and they love Him more, as time goes on.
“And [Mephibosheth] was lame on both his feet.” He never forgot the fall he had, and we, as redeemed sinners, shall never forget what we once were. But it will never cause a note of sadness, for it will only draw out our hearts in praise and thanksgiving to Him whose love went out to us when we were far off, who brought us to Himself, and makes us at home in His presence — forever.
ML-05/07/1972