Mephibosheth's Welfare (2 Samuel 9)

How kind was David to Saul’s family despite Saul threatening his life for many years? How should we treat former enemies and the weak in our society? Let’s begin in 2 Samuel 9.

Did David want to bless any of Saul’s family who were still alive?

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” (2 Samuel 9:1-4 NLT)

How did David bless Mephibosheth and what was his assignment for Ziba, Saul’s servant?

Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, “Mephibosheth?” He answered, “Behold, your servant!” David said to him, “Don’t be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your father. You will eat bread at my table continually.” He bowed down, and said, “What is your servant, that you should look at such a dead dog as I am?” Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s son. Till the land for him—you, your sons, and your servants. Bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have bread to eat; but Mephibosheth your master’s son will always eat bread at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. (2 Samuel 9:5-10 WEB)

How did Mephibosheth live from then on and how did Ziba help?

Then Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do whatever my master the king commands.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons. Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. All who lived in Ziba’s household became Mephibosheth’s servants. Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king’s table. He was crippled in both feet. (2 Samuel 9:11-13 CEB)

What kind of attitude did Jesus teach us to have towards our enemies?

You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. (Matthew 5:43-44 CEV)

Is politicizing such welfare as socialism just an excuse to avoid a Christian obligation?

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1 ESV)

What warning does Jesus give to those who hard-heartedly refuse to help the weak or programs that do so?

Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger [foreigner] and you didn’t take Me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe Me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of Me.’ (Matthew 25:41-43 HCSB)

How kind was David to Saul’s family despite Saul threatening his life for many years? How should we treat former enemies and the weak in our society? You decide!