The most famous story of the life of King David is the David and Goliath story. Almost every Sunday school child could tell you that story. But what about David and Mephibosheth? It is not so well known. For one thing it is easier to stay Goliath than it is Mephibosheth. Just try to say Mephibosheth ten times fast.
David and Mephibosheth is a truly amazing Old Testament story. The background between Jonathan and David is articulated in Charles Spurgeon’s sermon on 1 Samuel 18:3. "And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul." (1 Samuel 18:3)
A wonderfully noble, lovable, magnanimous man was that heir apparent to the throne of Israel. I admire, beyond measure, the disinterested, unselfish affection which he had for the young shepherd-hero. It must have been perfectly clear to Jonathan that David had supplanted him. Jonathan himself had been the bravest of the brave—accompanied only by his armor bearer, he had gained a notable victory over the Philistines and now, here comes another young man who becomes even more distinguished than he and who takes his place as commander-in-chief of the army. Most young men in such a position as that would have been very jealous of the newcomer—and something of the envy of Saul, the father, might very naturally have been begotten in the heart of Jonathan the son. But it was not so, for Jonathan loved David as he loved his own soul.
Moreover, Jonathan knew very well that David was ordained of God to mount the throne. That throne was his by hereditary right, yet he foresaw that neither he nor any of his descendants would sit upon it, but that David would occupy it. Yet there was no trace of jealousy, or envy, or malice towards David—Jonathan loved him as he loved his own soul. It was a case of love at first sight, for he had no sooner looked upon David than "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David" and it was also a case of love that was strong as death, for he clung to David to the last—and David, on his part, loved him intensely and, after Jonathan had fallen upon the fatal mount of Gilboa, lamented his death in sweetest strains of poetry. (From Spurgeon’s sermon on 1 Samuel 18:3)
Another great place to read about the story of Mephibosheth is in Chuck Swindoll’s book the Grace Awakening. He devotes almost a whole chapter to it. The story of David and Mephibosheth may never be as popular as David and Goliath, but it really is as remarkable.
The story is encapsuled in 2 Samuel 9:3. The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”
To start the story of David and Miphiboseth we look at 2 Samuel 4:4. He is Saul’s Grandson and Jonathan’s son.
Jonathan, son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became disabled. His name was Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 4:4)
Both Saul and Jonathan died in the same battle against the Philistines. In these situations when a king died, and a new king arose it was trouble for the previous family. The normal protocol was for all the family members of the previous dynasty to be killed so there was no chance for an uprising from the former ruling family.
The news came that Saul is dead. Now David who Saul relentlessly pursued and tried to put to death is now king. The nurse picked up Saul’s little grandson and hastily fled for their lives. She fell and the boy became crippled. Mephibosheth is Saul’s crippled grandson.
In 2 Samuel Chapter 7 we have God’s covenant with David. He has gone from a shepherd boy to a King. In 2 Samuel chapter 8 we read of David’s victories in Battle. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. (2 Samuel 8:6)
David asks, is there anyone left in Saul’s house I can show kindness too? This is amazing because in battle David was ruthless (2 Samuel 8:2). Saul wanted to kill David, yet David says, is there anyone left in Saul’s household to show kindness too.
David knew God’s kindness. He was not undisputed king because he deserved it, but because he of God’s kindness. What better way to respond to God’s kindness to him by showing another kindness.
Mephibosheth once lived in favor in the royal family. Now with the death of his father and grandfather he is an outcast in hiding in fear of being killed. David finds out where he is from one of Saul’s servents named Ziba who told him there is someone alive. So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel. (2 Samuel 9:5). Lo Debar means a barren place.
David had Mephibosheth brought before him. Mephibosheth must have been overcome by David’s kindness. Like in Jesus parable of the unmerciful servant when the servant owed a massive debt. The king would have the man’s wife and children sold as slaves but the servant begged for mercy and received kindness.
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28 “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. 29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ 30 “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31 When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:23-35)
We are like that man who owed a debt because of our sin we could never pay, but Jesus paid the debt for us. This very servant found another man who owed him just a few dollars. When he couldn’t pay a few dollars, he had him put in prison. What a wicked servant.
So we, if we have been forgiven much cannot we bestow that kindness to others? This was not King David. He wanted to show Mephibosheth kindness like God had bestowed on him. For Miphiboseth it was an unmerited favor an unconditional love.
Look at Mephibosheth’s response. Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8)
David restored to Saul’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. The kindness was totally unexpected for Mephibosheth. David goes out of his way to show kindness to Mephibosheth. He was like an adopted son for David. So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons. (2 Samuel 9:11)
No wonder this story is often used as an illustration of God’s grace toward you and me. We stand undeserving of God’s grace. We are like Mephibosheth, a dead dog. It is like we are coming from Lo Debar a place of barrenness. David offers kindness to Mephibosheth. God extends his grace in Christ to us. Mephibosheth is in the royal family. We are children of the king.
This is a beautiful illustration of our undeserved favor from God. But the real lesson is how God has blessed you. As a result, you should look for ways to show God’s kindness to others. Think what God has none for you in Jesus Christ. Where would you be without the grace of God? What would your future hold without Christ?
Kindness responds to others in need. David was a man after God’s own heart. That could never be truer than when David showed this overwhelming kindness to Mephibosheth. You are showing the kindness of God when you express love for someone who does not deserve it.
Let the kindness flow!
