David-A Time to Forgive Mephibosheth

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 19

From David's Journal

From the day my best friend Jonathan died I promised to care for his family. Some time later I found out he had a son named Mephibosheth.

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Mephibosheth became crippled when he was young. HIs nurse dropped him the day they hurried to escape. His nurse assumed, since I was crowned king, I would want to cause the boy harm. She was mistaken.

Once Mephibosheth was found, I brought him to the palace, gave him a nice room to sleep in as if he was my own son. He ate at my table alongside my own children. 

But the day my oldest son Absalom took over the throne, Mephibosheth rebelled and did not go with me. He stayed back, hoping he could get his grandfather's throne in all the confusion. 

After the elders crowned me king the second time, Mephibosheth came to Jerusalem to speak with me. He hadn't cared for his feet, trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes since the day I left.

He entered my chambers and bowed. "Mephibosheth, why didn't you go with me when I escaped?"

He answered, " My lord, O king, my servant deceived me. I told him I would saddle a donkey for myself and ride with the king. My servant said mean things about you to me. I wouldn't listen because you are like an angel of God.

He lowered his head, "Please, my lord, do what you think is right. Everyone from my father's house was dead, yet you brought me to your table and let me eat. What right do I have to cry out for help from you?"

I thought he took the whole situation a bit out of control. "Why are you talking like that? I already said you and Ziba, your head servant, should divide the land."

Mephibosheth shook his head. "No. I have all I need. Let Ziba take it all. My happiness comes from your return to the throne and that you have brought peace back to Israel."

It seemed to me that Mephibosheth's desires to become king had finally been settled. He will return to my table and finish his life in my household as I promised his father, my best friend, Jonathan.

It is important to forgive those who do mean things to us. The anger in an unforgiven person can destroy peace. When Mephibosheth realized peace returned the day I returned to the throne, he stopped wishing for to be king.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 15

Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

 He who walks uprightly,
    And works righteousness,
    And speaks the truth in his heart;
 He who does not backbite with his tongue,
    Nor does evil to his neighbor,
    Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
 In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
    But he honors those who fear the Lord;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
 He who does not put out his money at usury,
    Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

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1. Who was Mephibosheth?
2. Why did he come to see David?
3. Why didn't he go with David in the first place?
4. David said he gave Saul's family land to Mephibosheth and ______ to divide in half.
5. What did Mephibosheth say?
6. Where did Mephibosheth end up living?