This chapter describes David’s kindness to Jonathan’s son (Saul’s grandson) Mephibosheth.
“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?’ ” (v6-8)
Saul and his four sons are dead, yet David is inclined to show kindness to their family. He tracks down Jonathan’s son and restore’s Saul’s land and servants to him. Though easily overlooked, this act from David is quite significant for a a couple of key reasons:
– Mephibosheth recognizes his lowly and undeserving state (calls himself a ‘dead dog’)
– He was the rightful heir to an inheritance which was legally cut off
– He was poor, lame, and orphaned by his father’s death
Though David had the legal right to ‘Saul’s property’ because it stayed in the royal family (which was cut off from Saul’s line), he gives a portion of it back to Saul’s descendant. Not only that, he commands Saul’s servants to serve Mephibosheth. David importantly also promises him a perpetual seat at his (the king’s) table.
This grand gesture is extremely Christlike, because Jesus our King did the same for us:
– He restores us to our rightful standing with God, elevating our lowly position, despite the fact we are lame, poor, and orphaned because of our brokenness
– He restores our inheritance from God which was legally cut off by sin
– He calls us family and grants us a perpetual seat at the Lord’s table
Though we may not resemble Mephibosheth in a literal sense, in a spiritual sense we’re nearly an identical match. Through Jesus we are completely restored, though we don’t legally deserve it. It is this lavish grace and mercy that God the Father longs to share with each and every person in this world.
I encourage us to recognize how we too are like Mephibosheth, and embrace the restoration we have received through Jesus. Let’s praise the Lord for His abundant grace and mercy which has restored that which we legally lost.
Father God, our Generous and Lavish King, holy, holy, holy is Your name. Father we praise You for who You are, and for Your mighty works. You have blessed us abundantly with Your grace and mercy, restoring us to our forfeited standing and inheritance in Your family. Though we legally surrendered our inheritance, You granted it back to us through Your son Jesus. All honor, glory, praise and thanksgiving be unto You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training