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.

photo courtesy of christianimagesource.com

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?

David-The Devoted and the Snakes

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 16

From Ziba's Notes

Everything is in a turmoil. No, I'm not exaggerating. 

King David, his staff and loyal followers have escaped the city of Jerusalem, fearing Absalom's sword and the army he'd gathered. What caused this mess? Absalom's greed, jealousy, and anger with his father, David.

My own master, Mephibosheth, chose to stay at the castle. After all King David did for him, welcome him to his table, treated him as a son, gave him land, and food. If his father, Jonathan, could speak from the grave he'd speak a great disappointment. Despite my words, Mephibosheth said he wanted to stay just in case the thrown came back to his family. What he meant was himself. More greed and jealousy. Will it never end?

Knowing David and his followers would be hungry I went to our storehouse and gathered a gift and took it to the mountain where I knew he would lead the people and waitied. I brought a couple of saddled donkeys carrying two hundred loaves of bread, one hundred clusters of raisins, one hundred summer fruits, and a skin of wine.

David and his followers arrive shortly after I did. They walked as weary people even though the journey would not have been that great. How sad to be chased from your home unjustly. 

David's eyes met mine and his face brightened. Having the burden to run a kingdom is a great one to bear, but having the burden to lead people from their homes into the wilderness with no promise of food or shelter is greater. Still, the man had a kindness I've not seen in others. 

He had no idea I brought gifts. And though I was nothing more than a servant of a man who had betrayed David, he still greeted me with kindness. 

I bowed before him. "My lord, the donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat, and the wine for those who are faint in the wilderness to drink."

David leaned to the side and looked beyond the donkeys. "And where is your master's son?"

"My lord, Mephibosheth stayed in Jerusalem. He said, 'Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me.'"

He looked me in the eyes. The silence made me wonder what he was thinking. At last he said, "Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is now yours, because of your loyalty to God's anointed one."

I did not expect such generosity. I bowed. "I humbly bow before you, that  may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king."

I shall continue to serve King David, and will call him king until his dying day no matter who attempts to sit on the thrown. For the Lord God of Israel has appointed this man to do his work, and him only will I serve.

Here is a Psalm we sing, You call it Psalm 7:

O Lord, my God, I come to you for protection;
    rescue me and save me from all who pursue me,
 or else like a lion they will carry me off
    where no one can save me,
    and there they will tear me to pieces.

 O Lord, my God, if I have wronged anyone,
    if I have betrayed a friend
    or without cause done violence to my enemy^[b]—
    if I have done any of these things—
 then let my enemies pursue me and catch me,
    let them cut me down and kill me
    and leave me lifeless on the ground!

 Rise in your anger, O Lord!
    Stand up against the fury of my enemies;
    rouse yourself and help me!
Justice is what you demand,
     so bring together all the peoples around you,
    and rule over them from above.^[c]
 You are the judge of all people.
    Judge in my favor, O Lord;
    you know that I am innocent.
 You are a righteous God
    and judge our thoughts and desires.
Stop the wickedness of evildoers
    and reward those who are good.

 God is my protector;
    he saves those who obey him.
 God is a righteous judge
    and always condemns the wicked.
 If they do not change their ways,
    God will sharpen his sword.
He bends his bow and makes it ready;
     he takes up his deadly weapons
    and aims his burning arrows.

 See how wicked people think up evil;
    they plan trouble and practice deception.
 But in the traps they set for others,
    they themselves get caught.
 So they are punished by their own evil
    and are hurt by their own violence.

 I thank the Lord for his justice;
    I sing praises to the Lord, the Most High.

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1. Ziba was a ___________  of Mephibosheth.
2. Where did Ziba meet king David?
3. What did he bring him and why?
4. Where was Mephibosheth?
5. Who did Ziba choose to be loyal to and why?

David-Snakes and Rotten Guys

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 10, Psalm 105

A Journal Entry from One of David's Men

King David is an honorable man. 

He remembers and blesses those who have been kind to him. He never forgets. And if the person is no longer alive, he gives the blessing to his children. Like what he did for Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son.

David received news about the death of King Nahash of the Ammonites. His son, Hanun, succeeded him as king. Since King Nahash had shown kindness to David in the past, David wanted to send a group of his best men to give his sympathies to the son, King Hanun.

I was one of the honored men to go.

We arrived at King Hanun's palace the next day and were asked to wait in a room until announced. I stood by the door and overheard King Hanun's men whispering.

They said, "Those men who came in the name of King David are not here to honor King Hanun. They say King David wants to express sympathy for the loss of his father, King Nahash. I'll tell you why they came. They want to explore and spy out our country to set up a battle plan and overthrow us."

I knew we were in big trouble. Their thoughts were wrong. We really came in David's name to give sympathies, but they didn't believe us.

The door burst open. Guards yanked us to a room deep in the earth. They shaved our beards, the honor of a Hebrew man, cut off the back side of our clothes and sent us away in disgrace.

I have never been so humiliated in my life. The men with me ran from bush to tree to hide our shame. 

Along the way, we met a group of friends, men from David's army. They called to us. 

We lifted our head from our hiding place. "We're over here."

They ran to us with open arms. "David heard what happened. He understands how you feel. Come with us. We have made arrangements for you to stay in Jericho until your beards have grown."

I didn't know what to say. I felt very grateful for King David's quick act of kindness, but my shame wouldn't let me speak. My friend pressed his hand on my shoulder. "You're going to be fine, brother. We'll take care of you."

I looked at him, and although I couldn't smile, I managed to say, "Thank you."

I wasn't surprised at all that David sent our friends to help and that he made arrangements for us in Jericho. He is a kind and compassionate king who thinks of the needs of his people.

How blessed we are that God chose David as our king.

Thank you, God.

This is one of the Psalms we sing:  Psalm 105

Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name!
      Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
   Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
      translate his wonders into music!
   Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
      you who seek God. Live a happy life!
   Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
      be alert for signs of his presence.
   Remember the world of wonders he has made,
      his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered—
         O seed of Abraham, his servant,
         O child of Jacob, his chosen.

   He's God, our God,
      in charge of the whole earth.
   And he remembers, remembers his Covenant—
      for a thousand generations he's been as good as his word.
   It's the Covenant he made with Abraham,
      the same oath he swore to Isaac,
   The very statute he established with Jacob,
      the eternal Covenant with Israel,
   Namely, "I give you the land.
      Canaan is your hill-country inheritance."
   When they didn't count for much,
      a mere handful, and strangers at that,
   Wandering from country to country,
      drifting from pillar to post,
   He permitted no one to abuse them.
      He told kings to keep their hands off:
   "Don't you dare lay a hand on my anointed,
      don't hurt a hair on the heads of my prophets."

   Then he called down a famine on the country,
      he broke every last blade of wheat.
   But he sent a man on ahead:
      Joseph, sold as a slave.
   They put cruel chains on his ankles,
      an iron collar around his neck,
   Until God's word came to the Pharaoh,
      and God confirmed his promise.
   God sent the king to release him.
      The Pharaoh set Joseph free;
   He appointed him master of his palace,
      put him in charge of all his business
   To personally instruct his princes
      and train his advisors in wisdom.

    Then Israel entered Egypt,
      Jacob immigrated to the Land of Ham.
   God gave his people lots of babies;
      soon their numbers alarmed their foes.
   He turned the Egyptians against his people;
      they abused and cheated God's servants.
   Then he sent his servant Moses,
      and Aaron, whom he also chose.
   They worked marvels in that spiritual wasteland,
      miracles in the Land of Ham.
   He spoke, "Darkness!" and it turned dark—
      they couldn't see what they were doing.
   He turned all their water to blood
      so that all their fish died;
   He made frogs swarm through the land,
      even into the king's bedroom;
   He gave the word and flies swarmed,
      gnats filled the air.
   He substituted hail for rain,
      he stabbed their land with lightning;
   He wasted their vines and fig trees,
      smashed their groves of trees to splinters;
   With a word he brought in locusts,
      millions of locusts, armies of locusts;
   They consumed every blade of grass in the country
      and picked the ground clean of produce;
   He struck down every firstborn in the land,
      the first fruits of their virile powers.
   He led Israel out, their arms filled with loot,
      and not one among his tribes even stumbled.
   Egypt was glad to have them go—
      they were scared to death of them.
   God spread a cloud to keep them cool through the day
      and a fire to light their way through the night;
   They prayed and he brought quail,
      filled them with the bread of heaven;
   He opened the rock and water poured out;
      it flowed like a river through that desert—
   All because he remembered his Covenant,
      his promise to Abraham, his servant.

    Remember this! He led his people out singing for joy;
      his chosen people marched, singing their hearts out!
   He made them a gift of the country they entered,
      helped them seize the wealth of the nations
   So they could do everything he told them—
      could follow his instructions to the letter.
   Hallelujah!

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1.  Who is Nahash? What happened to him?
2.  What did David want to do, and why?
3.  Who else had David treated this way?
4. Who is Hanun?
5. What did Hanun's advisor think about David's men?
6. What did Hanun do to David's men?
7. What did David do when he heard the news?
8. Was the storyteller proud or disappointed in his king?

David-"Is There Anyone Left?"

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 9

David's Journal

photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0
United States License

Here I sit in Jerusalem, the city God conquered for the Israelites inside my palace, which God had the king of Tyre send supplies and workers to build for me.

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?