II Samuel 9
David's Journal
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| photo courtesy of Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License |
God gave plans for a Tabernacle and chose my son to build the structure.
Now what should I do? Surely there is something else I could do to give honor to God.
I stood at the window overlooking the city and wondered what to do. No battles to fight. Hmmm.
Then the promise I gave Jonathan years ago popped in my mind. A promise to care for any of his descendants. That's it! Oh, this will be a fun job. I called a meeting of all my advisors to begin the task.
"I need to know if there is anyone still left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake."
One of the advisers nodded. "Ziba was a servant in Saul's house. He would know."
"Good. Bring him to me at once."
Later that morning Ziba came to my chambers. "Are you Ziba?" I asked.
"Yes, I am your servant."
"Good. Tell me, is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?"
"Yes, my lord. There is still a son of Jonathan. He is crippled in both feet."
"Really? Where is he living?"
"He is at the house of Makir, son of Ammiel in Lo Debar."
Hmmm, Lo Debar was on the other side of the Jordan and up near the Sea of Galilee. "He should be brought here to live. Thank you for your help."
I called for my servants. "Go to the house of Makir, son of Ammiel in Lo Debar and get Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan. Be careful, his feet are crippled. Bring all his belongings so he may live here in the palace with me."
I couldn't believe how excited my heart felt. Songs of praise to God flooded my mind. Bringing Mephibosheth to the palace was the right thing to do. I stood by the window, watching, waiting for him to arrive. And then I saw the caravan approach. I wanted to see him right away, but knew he'd need time to settle into new quarters.
Some time later, a servant approached my chambers. "My lord, Mephibosheth is here."
"Mephibosheth!" I ran to him with my arms stretched wide for a hug. I think I might have frightened the young man.
He bowed. "Your servant."
I backed away to ease him. "Don't be afraid. I will show you kindness because of your father, Jonathan who was my good friend. I will give back to you all the land which belonged to your grandfather, Saul. You will always eat at my table."
Mephibosheth looked at guards then back at me. He bowed again. "What am I that you should notice a dead dog like me?"
I don't think he believed me. I called for Ziba to join our conversation. When he arrived, I said, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons, and your servants are to farm the land for him. Mephibosheth is to always eat at my table."
Mephibosheth looked up at Ziba. His concerned eyes changed to a happy smile.
Ziba nodded then faced me. "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do."
The seats closest to the king are normally reserved for special people, like family. I didn't give Mephibosheth a seat at the end of the table or any unimportant seat. He sat close to me, with my sons. I ordered my servants to treat him as one of my sons.
author's note: I especially like this story. It reminds me of the time God will call all His adopted children to join Him at his table. He is waiting for us even now. When we go to heaven, He will welcome us with a special warmth and love, more than we have ever known. And we will eat at His table and live in heaven with His son forever more.
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1. What had God given David?
2. What did David want to do?
3. What servant helped David with information?
4. What did Ziba say?
5. What did David chose to do?
6. What gifts did David give Mephibosheth and why?
7. How was Mephibosheth to be treated in David's house?
8. What clues does this story tell us about God?
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