2 Samuel gives us the record of King David’s reign over Israel. It had been a long and painful journey for David and for Israel and Judah. The former King, Saul had been killed, as had his son Jonathan who was David’s dearest and life-long friend.
David is now on the throne. Israel is entering a season of peace and he has time to think and reflect. In 2 Samuel chapters 4 and 9, David asks if Jonathan had any descendants to whom he might show kindness. Ziba, a servant of Saul, knew that Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth.
Meet Mephibosheth
Mephibosheth was crippled when his nurse dropped him while fleeing from the Philistines. He now lives in Lo-debar, a town as far from Jerusalem as possible. King David immediately ordered his men to get Mephibosheth and bring him to him.
In middle eastern tradition, when a new king assumed the throne, any living descendants of the former king who would be considered the rightful heirs to the throne were put to death. This explains why Mephibosheth chose to live as far from the palace as possible. When David’s chariot pulled up to his house and the soldiers came to the door, Mephibosheth was no doubt terrified.
It’s doubtful the soldiers knew David’s plans that they might set his mind at ease. Their orders were simply to get Mephibosheth. When he was brought before King David, Mephibosheth fell at his feet asking what the king would want with such a “dead dog” as himself.
Fear Not
David quickly told him to fear not! He would surely show Mephibosheth kindness for the sake of his father, Jonathan, David’s dearest friend. David would restore all of Jonathan’s land to Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth would have a place set at David’s table—dining with him and living the rest of his days as one of David’s own children.
Imagine dinner time at the palace. David in his royal robes at the head of the table. The brilliant Solomon at his right hand. The dashing Absolom, beautiful Tamar, the devious Amnon all seated.
And then Mephibosheth hobbles in, laying his crutches beside his chair. He probably got a few scornful glares from those who questioned his right to be there. Then David kindly asked “Mephibosheth, how was your day?”
Another Hebrew King
Many years later, another Hebrew King finally assumed His rightful place upon His throne. Unlike David, Jesus had lived a perfect life. Yet, He was crucified, buried, and arose three days later. He spent forty more days on this earth before ascending to Heaven where He took His place on the throne as the King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords.
Imagine Jesus asking if there were any to whom He might show kindness and your name was mentioned. The Lord Jesus then sent the Holy Spirit who knocked on the door of your heart. Being brought before absolute holiness we too would fall at His feet as dead, knowing that the only thing we deserved was death, only to hear Him say “fear not!”
Imagine hearing Him say that He had set a place for us at His table, and that we would dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Not some day, but from this day forward! That He was preparing a place for us in His Father’s house of many mansions where we would spend eternity with Him in paradise. Until then, we would live as one of His own children with all of the rights and privileges thereof.
Living with Jesus
Like Mephibosheth we were crippled by a bad fall—ours was in the Garden of Eden. Like Mephibosheth we deserved to die simply because of our genealogy. And like Mephibosheth we were as far from God as we could get, separated by our sin.
But, also like Mephibosheth, the Lord Jesus sent somebody to get us. Not because we were anything more than a dead dog. But because of His great love! And like Mephibosheth we can dwell every day in His house, seated at His table, and living as one of His own children.