Day 114 – 2 Samuel 9:6-13

Scripture Review

2 Samuel 9:6-13

"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!"

(2 Samuel 9:6)

I see Mephibosheth, the son of Ammiel, comes before David and falls on his face. In the customs of kings, surviving members of a rival house were often seen as threats. Mephibosheth likely does not know whether he has been summoned for mercy or judgment. Then David says his name, "Mephibosheth." He calls him by name.

"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."

(2 Samuel 9:7)

The first words David gives him are words of peace, "Fear not." That is grace before explanation. David knows the crippled son of Jonathan has reason to tremble, so he settles his fear first. "I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake." Mephibosheth is receiving mercy because of another man. He is blessed for Jonathan's sake. This is why the story is such a strong picture of grace. Mephibosheth is remembered, rescued, and restored by the king.

"And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?"

(2 Samuel 9:8)

Mephibosheth bows again. Grace has not made him proud. He calls himself "such a dead dog." Not just a dog, but a dead dog. In his own eyes, he is helpless, worthless, and beneath the king's notice. Mephibosheth's language is like David's own words to Saul in 1 Samuel 24:14, where David asked why Saul pursued "a dead dog." David had once felt like the despised one before Saul. Now David shows mercy to one who feels despised before him.

"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 Samuel 9:9)

David now makes it legal and practical. He calls Ziba and says, "I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house." The inheritance is restored. It becomes an official royal command. Mephibosheth does not merely receive kind words, he receives restored provision.

"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."

(2 Samuel 9:10)

Ziba, his sons, and his servants will work the land for Mephibosheth and bring in the fruit. Mephibosheth will have the income of restored land, but he himself will eat bread always at David's table. Here is the size of his provision. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. That is 35 men under Ziba, not counting Ziba himself. With Ziba included, at least 36 adult males are connected to the labor and administration of Mephibosheth's restored estate.

Yet David repeats the higher blessing: "Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table." The land will feed his household, but the king's table will feed him.

"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 Samuel 9:11)

Ziba agrees to obey: "According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do." He is now responsible to carry out David's kindness in daily work. Grace does not merely keep Mephibosheth alive. It gives him son like access.

"And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth."

(2 Samuel 9:12)

Mephibosheth has a young son named Micha. Saul's house has been shattered, but Jonathan's son and grandson remain under David's kindness. Ziba's house were servants unto Mephibosheth. The blessing changes the structure of his life. The one who had been hidden in Lodebar now has servants.

"So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet."

(2 Samuel 9:13)

The story ends with Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem. He ate continually at the king's table. He was lame on both his feet. The lameness is mentioned last because grace did not erase his weakness. It covered him with honor. He still had lame feet, but those feet were now under the king's table. His condition remained, but his position had changed completely.

Mephibosheth is a picture of our desperate condition before receiving God's forgiveness, kindness, and love. He is not at the table because he climbed there. He is there because the king sent for him, restored him, and made room for him. I am so thankful God came to where I was and brought me out.