We’ve been looking at a number of “children’s stories” from the Bible this summer. I finally get a turn to share what has become one of my favorite stories because of how it’s been connected to the week of church camp at the Ark, where Jeff and I have been faculty. I’ll talk more about that later.
Now, when I was at a different church camp, I would make a deal with the 5th-6th grade boys in my cabin. I’d offer the same offer today, but some of you may take me up on it. When it came time for lights out, I would tell a Bible story that maybe isn’t as well-known, we’d pray, and then we’d go to sleep. If they did a good job, I’d tell another story the next night. Only once in 5 years did I not get to tell one of the stories. I got to tell a story like this- (read or tell the events of 2 Samuel 9:1-13).
There are a few angles from which I want to look at this narrative. First, is the historical event that took place. Now, back in the time when David became king, it was typical for the new king to get rid of all potential rivals. They would seek out relatives from the previous regime and take them out before a rebellion could begin. But not David, he seeks out Mephibosheth, invites him to the king’s table, and sets him up for life. Why would he do this, why give honor to the grandson of the man who tried to kill him?
I believe David remembered the promise he made to Jonathan. Back when Saul was king, he hired David as an armor bearer. God had sent an evil spirit to torment Saul after he had disobeyed God and David would play the harp to soothe Saul. But with the many victories David had in battle, Saul became jealous and tried multiple times to take David’s life. After one of those occasions, David fled to find Jonathan to tell him what was happening.
This had to be a difficult position for Jonathan. David was his best friend, but Saul was his father. Like Jonathan, I think it would be a tough pill to swallow to be told that your father is trying to kill your best friend. The two hatch a plan. Saul had invited all the big names, including David, to a special dinner. David would skip out and Jonathan would make his excuse- he was with his family for a sacrifice. Jonathan would gauge his father’s response and report to David. Then they went outside to get away from any ears in the palace that may have been trying to listen to what was happening and this exchange takes place in 1 Samuel 20:12-17 (read).
Jonathan knew he wasn’t going to inherit the throne, in fact, he was looking at the heir. He still agrees to help David out and makes David then promise to never cut off the steadfast love of God from him or his household, even after the regime change. Now that David is king, he remembers the promise he made to Jonathan. Of course, there were no witnesses, so no one would have ever known if David had changed no one would have known. There was no one to hold him accountable, but David was a man of integrity.
David sought a way to keep his word. If these events were happening today, I think David would have gone on Facebook and use the recommendations feature. I picture him posting the question, “Does anyone know of any relatives that remain from the household of Saul? I’d like to show kindness in honor of Jonathan.” I bet various people would make comments about how they weren’t aware of anyone, then someone would tag Ziba, saying that maybe he would know of someone. So David would then reach out to Ziba, who tells David that there is a son of Jonathan who is still alive, but there’s something you need to know about him (read Samuel 4:4). When Mephibosheth was 5 years old, the battle in which Saul was defeated and Jonathan killed, news of the defeat reached the palace and people began to flee. Mephibosheth’s nurse, we’d probably call her a nanny or babysitter today, scooped him up to run, but dropped him and his legs have been crippled ever since.
Now, too often, we get presented the opportunity to be around someone with special needs and we’re not sure what to do. It may be something physical that makes it quite obvious that something is wrong. It may be something less obvious, but it tends to make us uneasy. After the last couple years at camp and some of the things I’ve experienced at our schools, I’ve learned that even with their special needs, they’re people too. They want someone who will spend some time with them and listen to what they have to say.
During the winter, I grow out my beard. I made the mistake of wearing a red jacket when I went in to the high school for lunch one day before COVID restrictions were in place. Now, when it comes to lunch time, the special needs class gets to the cafeteria a few minutes early so they can get through the line without having to worry about the crowd pushing them around. As I walked in, one of the students asked if I was Santa Claus. I told him no, that Santa is my uncle, and proceeded to show him a picture of my uncle who does “Singing Santa Telegrams” and was decked out in a Santa suit. This boy got all excited that he’d found an in and began to give me his Christmas list to pass along to my uncle.
Knowing Mephibosheth’s condition, David had a decision to make. He could bring Mephibosheth in and have him killed. No one would blame him, after all, he was related to the former king. He could decide that having someone with special needs at his table could make him look weak to other dignitaries when they come to visit and choose to send Mephibosheth away. But David doesn’t look for the easy way out. I’m reminded of the time that God punished David for taking a forbidden census and then giving him instruction to make a sacrifice. When David approached the owner of the site for the sacrifice, the man offered to give it and everything needed for the sacrifice. But David insists that he will pay the full price, saying (read 1 Chronicles 21:24).
David resolves that he is going to honor Jonathan by providing for Mephibosheth and summons him to the palace. That had to be scary for Mephibosheth, knowing what David cold do to him. He comes to the palace and immediately begins to grovel. David tells him to not fear and invites him to take a seat at the table that day, the next day, the next week, month, years, for the rest of his life. In addition, he gives Mephibosheth the land that had belonged to King Saul when he reigned over Israel. But David doesn’t stop there.
After keeping his promise to Jonathan by giving this honor to Mephibosheth, David provides the resources Mephibosheth will need in order to be successful. He makes the arrangements for Mephibosheth to be at the king’s table, then summons Ziba back in and gives him instruction to take his 15 sons and 20 servants to work the land and bring in the harvest on behalf of Mephibosheth. What a way for David to honor Jonathan, he has taken a crippled young man who has been in hiding and given him a seat at the king’s table. Wow!
Earlier, I had mentioned that Jeff and I were faculty at a week of camp at the Ark. That’s the second angle from which I want to look at this story. Here’s how it connects.
The main camp that week is called Mephibosheth. A group called Mephibosheth Ministries serves people with special needs and they organize this week of camp. They bring staff and volunteers who help with the direct care of the special needs campers, assisting them with activities, helping with hygiene and medical needs, even making sure they get into bed at night. Then there’s a segment of camp for high school students called Ziba, named after the servant provided by David. They help the Mephibosheth campers with the various activities like worship and small groups and recreation. They help with things like the climbing wall, climbing side-by-side, sometimes even putting their arms around the camper to help them reach their goal. Jeff and I help with the junior high segment of the camp called Hands & Feet. This group focuses more on providing extra support where needed so Mephibosheth campers can successfully participate. Sometimes that means being in the pool helping people be safe or riding along in a canoe. The favorite activity though is probably the Flying Squirrel. Even campers in wheelchairs have the opportunity to be put in a harness and attached to a cable that 15-20 Hands & Feet campers then pull so the camper can get close to 20 feet in the air, experiencing a level of freedom they wouldn’t get anywhere else.
I’m sharing this because I see a great service opportunity for our church family. Due to COVID, the number of Mephibosheth campers was restricted. We’re praying that many of these restrictions will be lifted by next summer and that means there will be more campers. More campers means that more volunteers will be needed. Here’s my challenge to you- consider joining us next summer for the week on a domestic mission trip. You can volunteer as a faculty member helping with the Hands & Feet week or even directly assist a Mephibosheth camper. We can bring staff up from Mephibosheth Ministries to conduct a seminar to teach us the things for which we need to be prepared when it comes to helping their campers succeed during the week. I’d also like to use this opportunity to help us experience a part of what it is to be a missionary and raise the funds needed to offset the cost of camp. Typically, it costs nearly $400 for a camper to go to the Ark. Faculty don’t usually have to pay this cost, but I think it would be cool for us to bless the camp by raising the funds needed to take care of the costs of food, activities, and utilities needed for us to be there. I used to raise funds for our ministry in St. Louis and will be glad to help you formulate a letter you can send out to people to partner with you in this missionary experience. We have the opportunity to be like David, grow in our awareness of a need around us, and put our faith to work. Please talk to me later if you’d like to know more about this opportunity to be a domestic missionary.
The last angle from which I’d like to look at this story of David and Mephibosheth is how this story points towards the relationship between God and us. As I look at this event, I can’t help but think about what God has done for us. He made a promise that He was determined to keep. Jesus shared that promise while talking with Nicodemus (read John 3:16). God invites us to His table. At the last supper, described in Luke 22, Jesus takes and breaks the bread, tells His disciples to take and eat, this represents His body that He has given on our behalf. He took the cup and told them to remember the blood He shed for our forgiveness so that we can be restored into our relationship with God. Who did He include in that promise? (read Galatians 3:28) This verse includes all the distinguishers of the time. We see so many people looking for how to divide us today- black/white/brown/yellow, rich/poor, Republican/Democrat. These things go away when it comes to God’s table- ALL are invited.
Now, what did Mephibosheth do to deserve the grace David gives him? Aside from being Jonathan’s son, absolutely nothing. And it’s the same for us with God. We haven’t done anything to deserve His grace. But God still extends the invitation and then provides the support we need to do well in this life (read Ephesians 3:20-21). God gives us everything we need to successfully carry out the ministry He has for us to do.
Of course, Mephibosheth could have turned David down. He could have decided that he didn’t trust what David was telling him and refused to come to the table and miss out on all the benefits. We have that choice as well. God has given us the gift of grace, but we have to accept it. We need to believe in Jesus, repent of our sin, declare Jesus as Lord, and be baptized in the waters. The choice is yours, if you need to make that decision and begin your journey with God, we give you the opportunity to come forward as we sing our song of invitation. Won’t you give your life to Him?
