Mephibosheth
|
David had made a covenant with Jonathan that once his enemies were conquered, he would show kindness to the house of Saul.
Now, with the borders secure, David remembered his promise, and “he was told of a son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth, who had been lame from childhood. At the time of Saul’s defeat by the Philistines at Jezreel, the nurse of this child, attempting to flee with him, had let him fall, thus making him a lifelong cripple.” Mephibosheth had been in hiding these many years for fear David would have him killed as a rival for the throne.
Very few were privy to his location.
It was a closely guarded secret that he even existed, but a palace servant named Ziba knew of the existence of Jonathan’s son. When summoned, Ziba disclosed to David the location of Mephibosheth: “Behold, he is . . . in Lodebar” (2 Samuel 9:4).
The residence, east of the Jordan River, had been a place of safety for the son of Jonathan. David sent for the lad at once, commanding him to appear.
“Mephibosheth realized that his life was at the mercy of the king. If David had so desired, he could have given orders for his execution in order that the seed of Saul might be completely wiped out of existence, and that there would be no possibility for a rival to arise from that source who might claim the throne.” Mephibosheth bowed before David and pledged his loyalty.
What a shock when David treated him kindly! All of Saul’s property was restored to Mephibosheth. He was given a life pension and was treated as one of David’s own sons (v. 11). “Through reports from the enemies of David, Mephibosheth had been led to cherish a strong prejudice against him as a usurper; but the monarch’s generous and courteous reception of him and his continued kindness won the heart of the young man; he became strongly attached to David, and, like his father Jonathan, he felt that his interest was one with that of the king whom God had chosen.” “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you” (Luke 6:27).
