David’s Kindness

“And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely show thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? Then the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master's son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master's son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master's son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king's sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet” (2 Samuel 9:1-13).

Introduction

In this chapter we find David being true to his word. He has not forgotten his promise to Saul or his covenant with Jonathan, although it seems that several years have gone by since their death. Mephibosheth was five years old at the time of his accident, but our text tells us that he now had a son named “Micah” by this time (1 Chronicles 8:34)..

David’s inquiry

It appears that the dynasty of Saul was largely forgotten, hence David’s question about the possibility of any of his descendants being around. A search had to be made to be absolutely certain. Also, had Michal lost touch with her family, for she ought to have been the source of the answer? David may have had the obscurity of Saul’s house in mind when he wrote; “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found” (Psalm 37:35-36).

David’s kindness

Twenty years had passed since David made his covenant with Jonathan, and although his friend was gone, he was determined to honour the agreement. This tells us that he had not forgotten his own humble beginnings and the much needed friendship in troubled times. David did not ignore the promises he had made, but instead faithfully sought a way to fulfil them. He desired to show kindness to any surviving members of Saul’s house for Jonathan’s sake. The word “kindness” is mentioned three times in the chapter (:1, 3, 7), and it has the meaning of showing human compassion or affection for another. The phrase “Full of the milk of human kindness” (Macbeth by William Shakespeare) has come into common usage to speak of being deeply concerned for the welfare of others to the point of personal sacrifice.

This kindness is actually the godly kind only believers can display. Jonathan had asked, “And thou shalt not only while yet I live show me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth” (1 Samuel 20:14-15). Mephibosheth did not merit such kindness for anything he had done or could do. He would never be a great man in David’s army since he was lame, so did not have the ability to return the favour. Therefore David’s kindness was freely given, not as a reward, but as a gift. This ought to speak to us of the free and unmerited favour God has bestowed upon us through Christ.

Mephibosheth’s problem

Saul had brought a curse upon his lineage because of his refusal to honour or obey the Lord, so maybe Mephibosheth’s lameness was fruit of this. He is also known as “Meribbaal” (1 Chronicles 8:34). He had become disabled on the very day Saul and Jonathan died. “And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth” (2 Samuel 4:4).

At this time Mephibosheth was living in obscurity in a barren part of Gilead, for “Lodebar” means “pastureless” or “a desolate place”, and was a great distance from Jerusalem. This indicates that he is far removed from the lifestyle he might have enjoyed in the palace of Saul if he was still alive. Also, he may have been living in fear of his life, for he would be fearful of being found to be a member of Saul’s family. We can imagine that his heart sank as he saw David’s men come to fetch him.

Mephibosheth’s promotion

Mephibosheth is brought out of obscurity, poverty and fear by the kindness of David. He is brought up to Jerusalem to sit with the king! David could have fulfilled his promise by making Mephibosheth’s life and home easy in Lodebar, but he went beyond that and brought him to live with him.

As he enters the presence of David he hears his name being used with delight in the voice of the speaker. This must have thrilled his heart and calmed his nerves. He understands that he does not merit such kindness so falls on his face before David and compares himself to a servant and a dead dog. Whatever fear he had was quickly dismissed when David spoke to him. He was to be highly honoured in David’s kingdom as one of his own sons despite what other might think of him. Neither would he rely upon his benefactor for everything, but would have restored to him all that would have been his if Saul had lived. This one time crippled and poverty stricken man would have his own servants and would enjoy great wealth.

Conclusion

© 4/5/2010