II Samuel 9: A Covenant of Kindness
And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
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.
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
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 Lo–debar.
Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo–debar.
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!
And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew 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.
And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
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.
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.
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.
And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.
II Samuel 9 unveils a poignant chapter in David's reign, illustrating the enduring power of covenant and the transformative nature of grace. This chapter is not just a historical account; it's a powerful illustration of God's love and mercy extended to us through Jesus Christ. David's actions toward Mephibosheth serve as a compelling foreshadowing of God's redemptive work in our lives.
Remembering Jonathan's Covenant (II Samuel 9:1-4)
The chapter opens with David's unwavering commitment to his covenant with Jonathan, Saul's son. Long after Saul's death and David's ascension to the throne, David remembers his promise. II Samuel 9:1 states David's intention, "Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?" This question reveals David's heart, one that values loyalty and cherishes the bonds of friendship even in the face of political realities.
David inquires about any surviving members of Saul's family to whom he can extend kindness, not out of political obligation, but out of genuine affection for Jonathan. He seeks to honor his covenant promise with kindness to anyone in Saul’s family for Jonathan’s sake. This sets the stage for the introduction of Ziba, a former servant in Saul's household (II Samuel 9:2-3). Ziba, familiar with the family's history and current circumstances, informs David about Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, who is crippled in his feet (introduced in II Samuel 4:4). Ziba reveals that Mephibosheth is living in Lo-debar, a place possibly indicating he was in hiding, perhaps fearing retribution as a descendant of the former king (II Samuel 9:3-4).
Extending Grace to Mephibosheth (II Samuel 9:5-7)
David wastes no time in summoning Mephibosheth from Lo-debar (II Samuel 9:5). Upon arriving, Mephibosheth bows down, paying homage to David, perhaps uncertain of his fate as the grandson of Saul. He may have feared the typical fate of a defeated royal family, but David quickly alleviates his apprehension.
David immediately reassures Mephibosheth, declaring his intention to show him kindness for Jonathan's sake (II Samuel 9:7). He repeats his covenant promise to Jonathan and assuring Mephibosheth that he was to be the recipient of that blessing. These blessings included all his grandfather Saul’s fields and a permanent seat at the king’s table. David's words are a balm to Mephibosheth's fears, replacing potential dread with unexpected grace.
A Response of Humility and Gratitude (II Samuel 9:8-13)
Mephibosheth's response is one of profound humility and gratitude (II Samuel 9:8). He acknowledges his unworthiness, recognizing that he has done nothing to deserve such favor from the king. This change in circumstances came as a result of sheer grace. He sees himself as a "dead dog," a common expression of worthlessness in that era. This highlights the magnitude of David's kindness and Mephibosheth's awareness of his own humble position.
David then establishes arrangements for the administration of Mephibosheth's restored inheritance. He assigns Ziba and his family to manage the land, ensuring a steady provision for Mephibosheth's household (II Samuel 9:9-11). The land David had restored was to be cultivated to feed the rest of Mephibo-sheth’s household, while he himself lived in Jerusalem and ate at the royal table with David. Mephibosheth is to live in Jerusalem and eat regularly at David's table, a symbol of acceptance, honor, and provision.
A Reflection of God's Grace
David's actions towards Mephibosheth were unprecedented in the ancient world. Kings typically eliminated potential rivals, especially those from deposed royal families. David's choice to show kindness and restore Mephibosheth's inheritance is a radical departure from the norm.
This narrative serves as a powerful metaphor for God's grace extended to us. Like Mephibosheth, we are often crippled by sin and separated from the promise of inheritance. Yet, God, through Jesus Christ, seeks us out, restores us, and invites us to His table. As Titus 3:4-5 reminds us, God's kindness and love appeared, and He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
David's compassion and covenant faithfulness provides a model for us. The story of II Samuel 9 invites us to examine our own hearts and consider how we can extend grace and kindness to others, remembering the transformative power of God's love in our own lives. Just as David honored his covenant with Jonathan, we are called to honor God's covenant with us by showing compassion and extending grace to those around us, regardless of their circumstances. This is the essence of living a life that reflects the heart of God.
And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
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.
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
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 Lo–debar.
Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo–debar.
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!
And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew 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.
And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
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.
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.
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.
And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.
II Samuel 9 unveils a poignant chapter in David's reign, illustrating the enduring power of covenant and the transformative nature of grace. This chapter is not just a historical account; it's a powerful illustration of God's love and mercy extended to us through Jesus Christ. David's actions toward Mephibosheth serve as a compelling foreshadowing of God's redemptive work in our lives.
Remembering Jonathan's Covenant (II Samuel 9:1-4)
The chapter opens with David's unwavering commitment to his covenant with Jonathan, Saul's son. Long after Saul's death and David's ascension to the throne, David remembers his promise. II Samuel 9:1 states David's intention, "Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?" This question reveals David's heart, one that values loyalty and cherishes the bonds of friendship even in the face of political realities.
David inquires about any surviving members of Saul's family to whom he can extend kindness, not out of political obligation, but out of genuine affection for Jonathan. He seeks to honor his covenant promise with kindness to anyone in Saul’s family for Jonathan’s sake. This sets the stage for the introduction of Ziba, a former servant in Saul's household (II Samuel 9:2-3). Ziba, familiar with the family's history and current circumstances, informs David about Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, who is crippled in his feet (introduced in II Samuel 4:4). Ziba reveals that Mephibosheth is living in Lo-debar, a place possibly indicating he was in hiding, perhaps fearing retribution as a descendant of the former king (II Samuel 9:3-4).
Extending Grace to Mephibosheth (II Samuel 9:5-7)
David wastes no time in summoning Mephibosheth from Lo-debar (II Samuel 9:5). Upon arriving, Mephibosheth bows down, paying homage to David, perhaps uncertain of his fate as the grandson of Saul. He may have feared the typical fate of a defeated royal family, but David quickly alleviates his apprehension.
David immediately reassures Mephibosheth, declaring his intention to show him kindness for Jonathan's sake (II Samuel 9:7). He repeats his covenant promise to Jonathan and assuring Mephibosheth that he was to be the recipient of that blessing. These blessings included all his grandfather Saul’s fields and a permanent seat at the king’s table. David's words are a balm to Mephibosheth's fears, replacing potential dread with unexpected grace.
A Response of Humility and Gratitude (II Samuel 9:8-13)
Mephibosheth's response is one of profound humility and gratitude (II Samuel 9:8). He acknowledges his unworthiness, recognizing that he has done nothing to deserve such favor from the king. This change in circumstances came as a result of sheer grace. He sees himself as a "dead dog," a common expression of worthlessness in that era. This highlights the magnitude of David's kindness and Mephibosheth's awareness of his own humble position.
David then establishes arrangements for the administration of Mephibosheth's restored inheritance. He assigns Ziba and his family to manage the land, ensuring a steady provision for Mephibosheth's household (II Samuel 9:9-11). The land David had restored was to be cultivated to feed the rest of Mephibo-sheth’s household, while he himself lived in Jerusalem and ate at the royal table with David. Mephibosheth is to live in Jerusalem and eat regularly at David's table, a symbol of acceptance, honor, and provision.
A Reflection of God's Grace
David's actions towards Mephibosheth were unprecedented in the ancient world. Kings typically eliminated potential rivals, especially those from deposed royal families. David's choice to show kindness and restore Mephibosheth's inheritance is a radical departure from the norm.
This narrative serves as a powerful metaphor for God's grace extended to us. Like Mephibosheth, we are often crippled by sin and separated from the promise of inheritance. Yet, God, through Jesus Christ, seeks us out, restores us, and invites us to His table. As Titus 3:4-5 reminds us, God's kindness and love appeared, and He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
David's compassion and covenant faithfulness provides a model for us. The story of II Samuel 9 invites us to examine our own hearts and consider how we can extend grace and kindness to others, remembering the transformative power of God's love in our own lives. Just as David honored his covenant with Jonathan, we are called to honor God's covenant with us by showing compassion and extending grace to those around us, regardless of their circumstances. This is the essence of living a life that reflects the heart of God.