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David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
9 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?”
Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
(ESV)
2 Samuel 9 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
David had made a promise to Jonathan, and David was a man of his word. So as he was reflecting back on Saul’s family, David remembered his oath of friendship to Jonathan and desired to follow through with what he had pledged.
2 Samuel 9 says that David wanted to “show kindness as I promised God that I would.” This takes us back to 1 Samuel 20 when David was on the run from Saul. David’s choice of wording is interesting because even though the promise was made to Jonathan, David views God as the One he is accountable to. He will fulfill that promise because it was made to Jonathan, but more importantly because it was vowed before the Living God. David didn’t have to do this, but again, he was a man of his word.
What would follow is an act of incredible act of mercy that was unheard of in that culture. Although Mephibosheth was crippled, it was common for a new king to completely wipe out the previous king’s family. This was done to eliminate any threat of mutiny against the new regime. David went against the grain of culture because he was a man of integrity.
Mephibosheth is shocked. He doesn’t understand why David would want to be so good to him…
Mephibosheth bowed again and said, “I am no better than a dead dog, sir! Why should you be so good to me?”
-2 Samuel 9:8 GNB
Is this not the reaction that the church should be seeing from the world? By initiating this deep level of mercy, David was foreshadowing the Kingdom of heaven. His act embodied the rebellious DNA of King Jesus. Instead of conquering those who have wronged you, love them. Instead of seeking revenge, seek reconciliation. Instead of living at war with others, seek to live in peace.
So, again I ask. Is this not the reaction the church should be seeing from the world? Are the people around you shocked at the mercy you extend? Do the people who have wronged you experience the extension of grace that was given to you by God?