The Way
Mephibosheth's Place at the Table
A man who called himself a dead dog, treated like a prince
Story
One day, when the noise of war had died down, David asked his officials, “Is there anyone still left from the house of Saul? I want to show him kindness for Jonathan's sake.” Ziba, who had been a servant in Saul's house, was summoned. Ziba said, “There is still a son of Jonathan. He is lame in both feet.” He was living across the Jordan in Lo-debar, in the house of Machir. David sent for him at once.
The man limped in and fell face down before the king. David called him: “Mephibosheth.” Trembling, Mephibosheth answered, “Your servant is here.” The king said, “Don't be afraid. For the sake of your father Jonathan I will surely show you kindness. I will give you back all the land of Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” Mephibosheth bowed down again. “Why would you look on a dead dog like me?”
The king called Ziba, put Saul's land in his charge, and had him farm it so its harvest would feed his master's household. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. From that day Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem and always ate at the king's table like one of the king's sons. He had a young son named Mica. Hidden under the table, his two feet were still lame.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and David
Don't be afraid. For the sake of your father Jonathan I will surely show you kindness. You will always eat at my table.
Is there anyone still left from the house of Saul? I want to show him kindness for Jonathan's sake.
What is your servant, that you should look on a dead dog like me?
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 2 Sam 9:1–13
Background
When Mephibosheth was five, the news came that Saul and Jonathan were dead; his nurse picked him up and fled in haste, dropped him, and he became lame in both feet. In an age when new kings wiped out the descendants of the old royal house, David kept his covenant with Jonathan.
Pause and Reflect
Can I make room for others in the place I received by grace?