David and Mephibosheth



Prayer: Hail to the Lord’s anointed, Great David’s greater Son!
       Hail, in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun!
       He comes to break oppression, To set the captive free,
       To take away transgression And rule in equity.

Read: 2 Samuel 4:4, 9:1–13
http://www.esvbible.org/2 Samuel 4:4
http://www.esvbible.org/2 Samuel 9:1-13

Think about It: Easily one of the most beloved characters in the story of Jesus’ ancestry is that of King David. We know almost as much about David as we do Jesus – possibly more. It is David’s throne which Jesus occupies forever. His story is big and encompassing. There is one individual that plays a part in David’s story where the mercy of God is shown in practical application. David lives out the mercy and forgiveness of God in a tangible way in the life of Mephibosheth.
     Mephibosheth was the grandson of King Saul, David’s predecessor and the only living rival left who might have a claim to David’s throne. He is also the son of David’s best friend, Jonathan. David and         Jonathan had promised fealty to one another despite the bitter animosity that Saul felt against David. Now, after David has gained the throne and is ruling the people of God with faithfulness and honor, he goes looking for any relatives that Saul might still have left alive. His search brings up a broken man in the person of Mephibosheth. At the age of 5, upon hearing the news of Saul’s death (2 Samuel 4:4), Mephibosheth is injured when his nurse dropped him as she fled in fear. This accident left him permanently disabled as both legs were crippled. He is left to live with those who would take care of him. He is a man without family or property – until David goes looking for him.
     David was within his rights to kill Mephibosheth. He represents a threat to David’s position as king. He is, after all, the prior king’s only remaining son. But David does not have him killed. Out of respect for the agreement David made with Jonathan, Mephibosheth is brought into David’s home and treated like a son. There are two ways to look at this event. 1) David’s is just being a nice guy and keeping a promise to his best friend. 2) David is keeping the one and only threat to his role as king close by his side in order to keep Mephibosheth from causing trouble. Tomorrow, we explore these ideas, seeing how grace wins out.

Prayer: Kings shall fall down before Him And gold and incense bring;
        All nations shall adore Him, His praise all people sing.
        To Him shall prayer unceasing And daily vows ascend;
        His kingdom still increasing, A kingdom without end.
Hail to the Lord's Anointed – LSB 398

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