Mephibosheth
2 Sam 9:1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
David had made covenant promises to both Saul and his son Jonathan, that he would show kindness to their family members. The practice of the other nations was to destroy all who might have a claim as a future king. Is there anyone left?
2 Sam 9:2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
2 Sam 9:3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
The son would be unable to defend himself, being lame, he was hiding, but now the king calls for him. King Jesus calls for those the world has little use for, this because of the covenant in His blood.
1 Cor 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1 Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
2 Sam 9:4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.
2 Sam 9:5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar.
2 Sam 4:4 And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.
2 Sam 9:6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
Mephibosheth fell before the king in humility and in respect and reverence for his position as king of Israel. The king if he were wicked, may torture the young man and kill him, as the evil one would do. But David was a king after God's heart, he would keep his covenants. "Behold thy servant!" What would have happened if he was like many today, who do not respect the king of kings, who speak evil words and show disrespect? Perhaps David would still offer his covenant promise to him, as Jesus offers his promise of salvation to all who will receive. If it is refused it is not the fault of the king. How can we refuse so great a salvation? Believe and recieve for the devil seeks to deceive.
Grace
2 Sam 9:7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
2 Sam 9:8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
David kept his covenant promise and restored to Saul's grandson all the land and possessions and set him to eat at the privileged position at the kings table. When the king calls, we must open the door to him, unless you prefer to be a "dead dog."
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
2 Sam 9:9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
2 Sam 9:10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
David commands the servants to till the land and to bring wealth to the family of Mephibosheth.
2 Sam 9:11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons.
2 Sam 9:12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
2 Sam 9:13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet.
Concerning Mephibosheth, all that he received was by grace. He is a picture of those who are saved by grace.
Slandered
2 Sam 19:24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.
His world ended when David was forced to leave.
2 Sam 19:25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth?
2 Sam 19:26 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame.
2 Sam 19:27 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes.
Ziba is uncovered as a plotter to acquire the land that David had given to Saul's son.
2 Sam 16:3 And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
2 Sam 16:4 Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
2 Sam 19:28 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?
Mephibosheth humbled himself before the king. He did not demand the return of what was taken from him. The king was enough, whatsoever seemed right with him was fine. He truly loved the king above all else.
2 Sam 19:29 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.
Divide the land, so that both will have plenty. David once again gives grace unexpectedly.
2 Sam 19:30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.
Mephibosheth does not care about the land so much as he does the king. A good example for us. Do we seek king Jesus for what he will give us? Or for who he is?
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Who or what do you love the most? Are you in financial security? If Jesus were to leave you, would you notice?
Lam 3:24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
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