2 Samuel chapter 9

The story of Mephiboseth is one of going from a state of dispossession to one of rehabilitation but this story is of a greater dimension because Mephiboseth never thought such a situation would occur or that his situation would change in such a dramatic way.  In verse ⁸ Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?”  God’s favour and mercy and grace sought Mephiboseth out.

What is Mephiboseth’s story?

When Mephiboseth’s nanny or nurse heard that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle; in the panic that took over the palace, as everyone was frightened that David was coming to kill everyone in Saul’s household because during Saul’s in his lifetime, his mission was to kill David.  People went into hiding from the palace.

During the confusion of hearing that Saul and Jonathan were dead, Mephiboseth’s nanny carried him away into hiding.  At the time, Mephiboseth was only five years old, he fell out of her hands and his legs became lame as a result.  They went into hiding and were living in some obscure town called Lodebar: a place of devastation, a place where no pasture, a place of no growth.

Some years after Saul and Jonathan’s deaths, David was thinking about his beloved friend Jonathan and asked in verse 1 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

I am sure that when Ziba came to Mephiboseth and told him that King David wanted to see him, he must have thought well, this is it, no more hiding, it is now time for me to die, as that was the custom at the time, to kill one’s enemies however David was not like that.  

But grace and mercy spoke for Mephiboseth, in verse ⁷ “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”  Can you just imagine that for a minute?  This meant that Mephiboseth will be privy to the King’s discussions and private conversations and other top secret that might be discussed during meal times.  What a privilege!   A privilege that only our God can make happen.

David could have just told his men, to build Mephiboseth a beautiful, palatial home or he could have told his men to prepare for Mephiboseth to live in one of the King’s palace quarters but he didn’t do do.  He told his men to bring Mephiboseth to eat at the King’s table. In verse  ⁹ Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul’s steward, and said to him, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. ¹⁰ You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master’s grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table.” (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)

God’s grace does not without any blessing that is meant for us.  Our God is good and faithful to his Word.  If He remembered Mephiboseth, he will remember you and I in Jesus name.  1 Sam 2:8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor. 

PRAYER POINTS: O Lord, put me in remembrance of my divine helpers, Father let my helper /s locate me in Jesus name; O Lord surprise me beyond my imagination in Jesus name.  Lord let your favour seek me out today in the name of Jesus.  Father Lord, let grace and mercy speak for me all the days of my life in Jesus name.