2002-01-01
Good Morning Fellow Believers,
We have finally arrived at the portion of the story where we get to see how David’s faithful adherence to his covenant with Saul’s son, Jonathan, and God impacts his relationship with Jonathan’s crippled son, Mephibosheth. This is one of the most compelling examples in the Scriptures how having faith allowed God to transform David inwardly by the renewal of his mind. In view of Mephibosheth’s grandfather [Saul’s] persecution of David over the years, the natural tendency would be for David to hold a king-sized grudge against Saul and his entire family. Instead, David chose to take the God-view of things and respect both his covenant of friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan, as well as the fact that God had originally chosen Saul as Israel’s king. Even after God transferred authority to be king of Israel to David and Saul was pursuing him, David never forgot his respect for Saul’s position. By transforming David’s mind (as He has the power to do with anyone who is open to Him), God enabled David to make a very different choice of how to behave than the natural one.
For the sake of context, let me review 2 SAM 4: 4. “Another descendent of Saul was Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, who was five years old when Saul and Jonathan were killed. When the news about their deaths came from the city of Jezreel, his nurse picked him up and fled; but she dropped him, and he became crippled.” The nurse’s panic had to do with her lack of understanding about David’s faithfulness to his covenant with Jonathan and God. Otherwise she would have known that Mephibosheth was in no danger. She did realize that with only Mephibosheth left, he would be in line to lead the forces of the murdered Ishobosheth, who had been king of Israel for a short period and opposed David [2 SAM 2: 8-9; 2 SAM 4: 7]. She may not have realized or accepted that David was made king of all Israel (not just Judah) [2 SAM 5: 3-5].
We get to see David’s heart-attitude when at the beginning of 2 SAM 9 he expresses his desire to Ziba, a servant of Saul’s family, his interest in knowing if any of Saul’s family remains and if he can be kind to them (3). Ziba must have known that David had no evil intent and was sincere, because he told David about Mephibosheth and that this last remaining son of Jonathan was living the home of Machir son of Ammiel in Lodebar (east of the Jordan River)(4). At that point, David sends for Mephibosheth to come to him (5). 2 SAM 9: 6-7, “When Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul, arrived, he bowed down before David in respect. David said, ‘Mephibosheth,’ and he answered, ‘At you service, Sir.’ ‘Do not be afraid,’ David replied. ‘I will be kind to you for the sake of your father, Jonathan. I will give you back all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always be welcome at my table.’” I cannot imagine what must have been running through Mephibosheth’s mind at that moment. Maybe it was disbelief that David was making such an offer. Perhaps, he understood that his grandfather had been insane and thus, David was concocting a plot of revenge against him for Saul’s persecution. Or maybe, he understood David’s faithfulness to his covenant with his father, Jonathan. But at that point, Mephibosheth bowed and said, “I am no better than a dead dog, Sir! Why should you be so good to me?” (8).
We get a better understanding of this statement if it is placed in the context of the Jewish culture at that time. Going east of the Jordan River to a Jew of that time was like being in hell. Mephibosheth is the picture of an unconverted soul living in a barren land [Lodebar may mean “no pasture”] and sold under sin. [Machir means “sold’]. In other words, Mephibosheth was an outcast from the fallen house of Saul. He was unable to become king to beg for mercy, being lame in both his feet. But David was a gracious king and offered to bless him. The parallels to salvation shouldn’t be missed here. If we think about it, the original sin made us outcasts and enemies of God. Yet, we all know that Christ’s Atonement was our offer of God’s graceful blessing of redemption and eternal life.
Mephibosheth and his household [Ziba, Ziba’s 15 sons, and their servants] were blessed by David who returned Saul’s land for them to farm. Mephibosheth was welcome at David’s table for the rest of his life, just as we as believers are welcome at the Lord’s table for the rest of ours. Mephibosheth was treated by David like his own son, just as God treats us like His own children. Mephibosheth later had a son of his own, Mica. They and all the family of Ziba and his servants lived in Jerusalem, and Mephibosheth ate all his meals at the king’s table (10-13). The impact on us of this story should be evident. We should be reminded that if we will listen to God, He can transform us from being slaves to fleshly, sinful desires (like taking revenge) and give us renewed minds, allowing us to react to the problems in our lives closer to the way He would. Our God saved us for this purpose-to conform to the image of His only Son. Meditate on how Mephibosheth’s relationship with David is the consummation of the covenant agreements made. We must continuously examine our own covenant relationships.
PRAYER: O Lord, You gave us Your only Son on the cross at great cost to You. That was a salient manifestation of Your grace, unlike any the world had ever seen before. You have called us to a personal relationship with You to be carried out as partners in the Covenant of Grace. That covenant is more perfect than any that have preceded it. In the story of all the events that led from David’s covenant with Jonathan, You have given us a picture of Christ, Your own Son. You have shown us how David kept his covenant promises, while at the same time giving us an ideal to follow. You have allowed us to see a foreshadowing of Christ in David. David was far from perfect, which is why Your presence in his life allows us to know that You can transform a person inwardly by the renewal of his mind [RO 12: 2]. You forgave David and remained with him all of his life. You will do that same for us, if we are willing as he was to follow Your commands and take seriously our covenant agreements. The kindness that we can show toward each other should be like the kindness that David showed toward Mephibosheth. It is the same kindness which, perfected, we saw in Christ. You prompted Christ to say in JN 13: 34-35, “ And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are My disciples.” We must take that message to heart and obey that commandment. Today, we humbly offer You our adoration, worship, loyalty, diligence, trust, obedience, honor, glory, praise, and thanksgiving. In Christ’s holy name, we pray. Amen.
Tomorrow, we will begin a new section called “Covenant Truths-Torah.” To some degree this will review some of what has been discussed, but it will be done with the new understanding that this series of covenant messages gives us. Being a covenant partner with God is a crucial and integral part of our lives as believers in Him. We can take enormous comfort in feeling His presence guidance, leadership, encouragement, direction, love, and compassion in every aspect of our lives. That is why it is so critical that we keep our hearts open to Him. He is eager to love us, making us His truly blessed children. Peter and I also send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn