Dear member of God’s family,
2 Samuel 9 is a favorite chapter of mine, partly because of the relationship on display and in part because of its deeper significance in our lives. Bound up in the glories of David’s consolidated Kingdom, where finally everything is going David’s way, he has time to reflect upon how well his life is going.
When we reflect upon our lives, and what God has done for us, we usually find ways that we can bless others. Where is that place for you?
And that causes David to remember: He remembers the conversation he had with Jonathan in I Samuel 20 and the conversation he had with Saul in I Samuel 24, and he puts out the word that he’s looking for opportunities to do good. What does Ziba say?
Yep, I know someone who survived Saul’s defeat, but he’s a cripple after all.
It’s likely when the kingdom was disintegrating, that as Jonathan’s nurse was running for their lives, that this horrific accident took place and Mephibosheth was left disabled for the rest of his life. ( 2 Samuel 4:4). And they chose not to hang around too close to the capital. I’m mean, after all, in ancient Palestine, its best to stay well clear of the new regime if you want to stay alive. And so, there he was, living in Lo-Debar ( means desolate, barren), lets say, nowhere’s Ville.
So when David’s men, knock at Mephibosheth’s door, you can imagine what he might be thinking. And yet, as Swindoll notes, David is the kind of ruler with a “Yes” face. Mephibosheth may think he has inherited the worst of all situations, but instead he has gleaned from David a “Yes” face. It will all be ok.
Mephibosheth shall come and live in David’s house, he will eat at his table, will be provided for and the crops from his fields shall be harvested by Ziba and his burgeoning family.
By all accounts, grace never acts for its own sake, but for the best sake of the recipient. And as it has done for Mephibosheth, it has operated for us. We who are so undeserving, and we who have found ourselves far away from God, have been found, and the reality of our condition (crippled) has been matched by the reality of our rescue. And none of it because of us, and all of it because of God.
Walk wisely
MJC
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